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National Assembly was empowered to elect the new cabinet for a five-year
term, fixed term.
Now I’ll talk about electoral laws, very strict one for reasons of success
of democracy in Bhutan. Candidates must really, really have clean records.
This is a full-time job. You cannot have business license. If you have, you
cannot even qualify to be candidate. If you obtain licenses, you will be
removed from office. When you find a new area nomination, you should not
have any taxes in that area. You should have paid all your taxes, otherwise,
you’re off the list. And certainly, if you have been caught criminal record, you
certainly cannot stand. And after becoming an MP, if you indulge in corrupt
practices, there is no immunity from prosecution. You’ll be prosecuted and
removed.
Independence of institutions. When I talk about institutions, it’s
constitutional offices, the judiciary non-bribable, and the media. I’ll just give you
an example. This newspaper called The Bhutanese, in 2009, did an investigative
story whereby the former speaker and the home minister have been found to
engage in certain land scam before 2008. The Prime Minister said, this was
before 2008. They did nothing wrong. So, he invited the Anti-Corruption
Commission to investigate them, believing in their innocence. However, as he
found that it was a serious case of land scam, prosecuted them, and then the
court sentenced them. The result, in 2013, they could not re-contest. Now they
don’t contest because they have cross the age-barred of 65 years. If you are
65 in Bhutan, you cannot re-contest. It’s not just for the MPs. Our King would
also leave office when he’s 65, constitutionally provided for.
Finally, the success of democracy also largely depends on the commitment
of His Majesty the King to democracy. When he came to the throne in 2006,
he said, I must ensure that the constitution and democracy granted by His
Majesty the Fourth King, his father, established well and they continue to
benefit all country. Then during the formal coronation, he made it quite clear
that henceforth, it is his sacred duty to ensure the success of new democracy
so that it will serve to fulfill the aspiration of people, remaining above politics
not interfering in political and electoral process. He not only symbolizes the
nation, but provides the vision and leadership necessary with commitment to
ensure democracy succeeds in Bhutan.
Honorable Secretary General, community of KPI and certainly Chairperson.
I thank you for your attention and my conclusion, just summary is that Bhutan’s ²£ ´£²¢¡¸¡¡Á¥°£°ª²£l²h²£°À¨
democracy is not without its challenges. I do not think I have time to talk
about it, but so far it has been successful because of the peaceful and
inclusive nature of the transition and democratization process at democratic
political culture both at the village and state level before 2008, very strict
