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Exiled Tibetans all over the world took part in the preliminary election for Sikyong (Prime Minister) and members of the 16th Tibetan Parliament-in-exile on October 18.

An elderly Tibetan prays before casting her vote at Tsugla-khang, Mcleod Ganj
Photo:Contact/Lha

Dharamshala, His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s residence and centre for the Tibetan Government-in-exile, is also home to thousands of Tibetans who voted in the ten polling stations in and around the area. The polling station at Tsugla-Khang, the main temple, was crowded from early morning right through the day with people waiting in three queues based on their home provinces – Dotoe, Domey and Utsang.

Voters from all ages to mothers carrying babies stood in the queues to cast their ballots. Thinley Jampa, a member of staff on election duty at the Tsugla-khang, said “Voters have poured in since the opening of the polling booth at nine in the morning. Certainly, this year, people are paying more attention and they are more excited.” The Tibet Times reported that this year 4,379 more voters registered compared to the 2011 election and reports coming in from around the world suggest a similar enthusiastic turnout.

Representatives from the Asia Democracy Network and Asian Network for Free Elections came to Dharamshala to observe the Tibetan election procedures at all the major polling stations.

In Bhutan and Nepal, people voted discreetly a few days back. There are reports that the incumbent Sikyong Lobsang Sangay has received the maximum vote from almost all the Tibetan settlements.

The Election Commission (EC) of the Central Tibetan Administration has announced that it will short list two candidates for the final election of Sikyong. If the vote margin between the second and third candidate is less than 20% in the preliminary election, three candidates will be short listed for the final Sikyong election. EC also confirmed that for the final election of members of the Tibetan Parliament-in-exile, they will short list twice the actual number of seats allotted for all the respective categories.

Though results from each Tibetan settlement will be declared soon, the overall result will be officially announced by the Election Commission on March 20, 2016.