BHUTAN

This page contains the complete text of PARLINE database entry on the selected parliamentary Chamber or unicameral Parliament

GENERAL INFORMATION

Parliament (generic name):

Chi Tshog

Translated name:

Parliament

Structure:

Bicameral

Chamber:

Tshogdu

Translated name:

National Assembly

President:

Jigme Tshultim ( M)

Secretary General:

Nima Tshering ( M)

Members (statutory number):

members
The Draft Constitution provides for a maximum of fifty-five members of the new National Assembly.

Members (current number):

Women (current number):

4 ( 8.51%)

Term:

5 years

Last renewal dates:

24 March 2008

Address:

National Assembly Secretariat
P.O. Box 139
Gyelyong Tshokhang
Thimpu, BHUTAN
Tel.: (975 2) 322729, 322793
Fax: (975 2) 324210
E-mail: nab@druknet.bt

Web site:

http://www.nab.gov.bt/

Affiliation to IPU:

Affiliation date(s):

ELECTORAL SYSTEM

Electoral Law:

1 January 1900

Royal Decree of 30 June 2007

Constituencies:

47 single-member constituencies

Voting System:

Single-member plurality system ("first-past-the-post")
Vacancies arising between general elections are filled through by-elections.
Voting is not compulsory.

Voter requirements:

- Bhutanese citizenship, including through naturalization
- Age: at least 18 years old on election day
- Residence in the constituency at least one year prior to election
Qualified voters who are on diplomatic assignments, working in Bhutanese Embassies, on special duty abroad, their spouses and dependants, civil servants, students and those serving in the armed forces, officials on election duty and voters specifically permitted by the Election Commission in consultation with the government can vote through postal ballots.

Disqualifications:
- Persons who are mentally unfit or specifically barred from voting under the laws of the country.
- Imprisonment

Eligibility:

- Bhutanese citizenship, including through naturalization
- Age: minimum of 25 years and maximum of 65 years at the time of registration
- Registration in the constituency concerned
- University degree
- Members of political parties

Ineligibilities:
- Members of the Royal Family
- Members of the armed forces
- Civil servants
- Clergymen
- Executives and members of the Electoral Commission
- Persons married to non-Bhutanese nationals
- Conviction for crime, bribery, or electoral offence
- Persons who are mentally unfit or specifically barred from voting under the laws of the country.

Incompatibilities:

- Head of State
- Members of the other chamber
- Ministers of State
- Holders of public office
- Civil servants (at the national level)
- Executives and members of the Electoral Commission
- Chief of electoral staff
- Members of the armed forces
- Members of the police forces
- Clergymen
*The incompatibilities cited above are valid during the term of office.
- Holders of temporary entry permits
- Undocumented immigrants
- Insanity/mental illness

Candidacy requirements:

(at the district level)

LAST ELECTIONS

Also available: Archive of past election results for this chamber

Dates of election / renewal (from/to):

24 March 2008

Purpose of elections:

Elections were held for all members of the Parliament.

Background and outcome of elections:

Text is being prepared.

STATISTICS


Round no 1 (24 March 2008): Election results

Number of registered electors		318'465
Voters		253'012 (79.45%)
Blank or invalid ballot papers
Valid votes

Round no 1: Distribution of votes

Political Group

Candidates

Votes

% of votes

Druk Phuensum Tshogpa (DPT)

People's Democratic Party (PDP)


Round no 1: Distribution of seats

Political Group	Total of seats	Number of women
Druk Phuensum Tshogpa (DPT)	45	4
People's Democratic Party (PDP)	2	0

Comments:

Sources:
- http://www.election-bhutan.org.bt/
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs (28.03.2008)

Distribution of seats according to sex:

Men:

Women:

Percent of women:

8.51

Distribution of seats according to age:

Distribution of seats according to profession:

PRESIDENCY OF THE PARLIAMENT

APPOINTMENT AND TERM OF OFFICE

Title:

NA (no information received)

Term:

NA (no information received)

Appointment:

NA (no information received)

Eligibility:

NA (no information received)

Voting system:

NA (no information received)

Procedures / results:

NA (no information received)

STATUS

Status:

NA (no information received)

Board:

NA (no information received)

Material facilities:

NA (no information received)

FUNCTIONS

Organization of parliamentary business:

NA (no information received)

Chairing of public sittings:

NA (no information received)

Special powers:

NA (no information received)

Speaking and voting rights, other functions:

NA (no information received)

MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT

PARLIAMENTARY MANDATE

Nature of the mandate:

Start of the mandate:

Validation of mandates:

End of the mandate:

Can MPs resign ?

Yes

Can MPs lose their mandate ?

Yes

STATUS OF PARLIAMENT MEMBERS

Rank in hierarchy:

Indemnities, facilities and services:

Obligation to declare personal assets:

Parliamentary immunity - parliamentary non-accountability:

Parliamentary immunity - parliamentary inviolability:

EXERCISE OF THE MANDATE

Training:

Participation in the work of the Parliament:

Discipline:

Code (rules) of conduct:

Relations between MPs and pressure group:

Also available: Archive of past election results for this chamber

General Information | Electoral System
Last Elections | Presidency of the Parliament | Parliamentary Mandate
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