Focusing on the Greater Goal
By Mary Trewartha and Tenzin Samten / April 24, 2016
The recently concluded Tibetan election has stirred up the emotions of both the exile community and its leaders. Dissatisfaction at the “mud-slinging” campaign, where strong regional overtones were seen to overtake constructive debate, saw former Tibetan Prime Minister Professor Samdhong Rinpoche retract his vote in protest. Rinpoche has now taken read more →
Apologies and an Appeal
By Mary Trewartha / April 8, 2016
The two Sikyong candidates in the recent election for the Tibetan Government-in-Exile have publicly apologised for their behaviour in the election runup and appealed for unity and harmony in the Tibetan community. They apologised to His Holiness the Dalai Lama and quoted his counsel to them both that it is read more →
Parliament Session: Call for Unity and Harmony
By Tenzin Samten and Mary Trewartha / April 3, 2016
The 15th Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile concluded its 11th and final session on April 1 with both the Speaker Penpa Tsering and Prime Minister (Sikyong) Lobsang Sangay strongly urging all Tibetans to work towards promoting and practicing unity, cooperation and harmony among the various sections of the Tibetan community. Speaker Penpa Tsering read more →
Tibetans Vote in over 30 Countries
By Tenzin Samten / March 21, 2016
Exile Tibetans in over 30 different countries cast their vote to elect their political leader (Sikyong) and 45 members of the 16th Tibetan Parliament-in-exile on March 20, 2016 in their respective regions.With over 90,000 voters registered to vote, this election will decide who will lead the exile Tibetan government for read more →
Former Kalon Dicki Chhoyang on the Election
By Tenzin Samten / March 8, 2016
Kalon (Minister) Dicki Chhoyang, who headed the Central Tibetan Administration’s department of Information and International Relations for four and half years, resigned from her post on February 29, three weeks prior to the Tibetan election. Her resignation in the midst of election fever has prompted much speculation . On March read more →
What are People Saying About the Election?
March 1, 2016
Election Fever! The current election is sparking huge interest, as well as debate and questions about the election procedures, as the Tibetan people in exile enjoy their democratic right to become involved in the process. They are empowered by social media and access to information, as well as improved education read more →
The Path to Democracy*
By Mary Trewartha / March 1, 2016
His Holiness the Dalai Lama initiated the current democratic process for his people following his flight to India in 1959. He spoke to a large gathering of Tibetans in Bodh Gaya in 1960, asking them to elect their representatives through universal adult suffrage. Despite their lack of knowledge of modern read more →
What About the Chithue Election?
By Jamyang Gyaltsen / February 29, 2016
As the final election date for Sikyong (Political Leader)and Chithues (members of Tibetan parliament) ofthe Central Tibetan Administration is drawing near, it is heartening to see plenty of discourses happening in theTibetan community about the upcoming election. While there is a lot of work to be done in terms of read more →
Final List of Parliamentary Election Candidates
By Tenzin Samten / February 4, 2016
The Election Commissioners of the Tibetan Government-in-exile have announced the list of final candidates for the election of Sikyong and the 16th Tibetan Parliament, which will be held on March 20, 2016. The Chief Election Commissioner said, “as per the electoral rules and regulations, we have shortlisted two candidates for read more →
Preliminary Election Result Shows Sangay in the Lead
By Tenzin Samten / December 7, 2015
The results for the preliminary election for the post of Sikyong, or Prime Minister of the Tibetan Government-in-Exile and members of the 16th parliament have been announced, showing that the incumbent Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay had an easy win. The Election Commission (EC) made the announcement on December 4. Dr read more →