Vision:  Establishment of vibrant democracy in the Country/Dzongkhag.

Mission:

  • Conduct free and fair elections

  • Create full awareness on electoral processes and promote democratic values

  • Educate all sections of society on democracy and elections.

Dzongkhag Election website : http://trongsa.ecb.bt/

Responsibilities:

1. Conduct free and fair elections:

  • Prepare error-free electoral rolls and issue VPICs.

  • Conduct voter and electoral education prior to elections.

  • Establish Election Dispute Settlement Body to settle electoral disputes during election period.

  • Conduct training and Refresher Course for government officials to become election officers during elections.

  • Establishment Office of the Returning Officers in the respective Constituencies.

  • Backstop Election Coordinators, Returning Officers, Observers, Presiding and Polling Officials during election period.

2. Voter’s Legal Documents:

  • Electoral Rolls, Voter Photo Identity Cards, Citizenship Identity Cards.

  • Verify and update voter’s data in Electoral Roll (with reference to census transfers, death cases and religious personnel) in collaboration with Census Section and Gewog Administration.

  • Ensure all the candidates and voters are issued VPIC with correct information in it.

  • To take claims and objections from the candidates and voters and incorporate changes as per law.

 

3. Election Advertisement Board:

  • To maintain and erect advertisement board in required public places so that candidates/voters/public can view electoral information and important election advisories.

 

4. Delimitation:

  • Delimitation is done every 10 years and its hearing with the public is carried out before finalization of delimitation.

  • To create conducive/centrally located Polling Station for the voters to cast their franchise.

 

5. Election Materials:

  • To maintain and keep record of all election materials.

  • To store Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and ballot boxes in the safe and secured manner.

  • To make use of all election materials efficiently as and when necessary.

 

6. Objectives:

  • To facilitate voters to make informed choice and elect a right candidate for the right job.

  • To create full awareness and educate electorates on voting procedures, electoral processes and democratic principles.

  • To promote and maintain healthy democratic values and practices in the society.

  • To create conducive voting environment.

  • To minimize, if not eradicate electoral disputes during election period.

 

The Qualification and Disqualification as Voter to any elections

A.    Qualifications:

Every person who is a citizen of Bhutan as evidenced by a citizenship identity card shall be entitled to be registered as a voter for a constituency, if such a person is:

 

(a) Not younger than eighteen years of age on the qualifying date as specified by the Election

Commission;

(b) Registered in the civil registry of the Government pertaining to that constituency and having his/her Gung or Mitsi in that place for not less than one year before the qualifying date; and

(c) Not otherwise disqualified from voting under this Act or any other law in force in Bhutan.

 

B.     Disqualifications:

A person shall be disqualified for registration in the Electoral Roll of a constituency, if such a person is:

 

(a) Not a citizen of Bhutan;

(b) Of unsound mind and stands so declared by a competent Court; or

(c) For the time being disqualified from voting under this Act or any other law in force in Bhutan.

The Qualification and Disqualification as Candidates to any elections

A.    Qualifications:

A person shall be qualified to be Candidates, if he/she:

 

(a) Is a citizen of Bhutan as evidenced by the citizenship identity card;

(b) Is a registered voter of that constituency;

(c) Is of the minimum age of twenty five- years and not more than maximum age of sixty-five years at the time of filing the nomination; and

(d) Possesses a formal university degree (only in case of National Assembly, National Council and Thrompon elections).

 

B.     Disqualifications:

A person shall be disqualified as a candidate or a member holding an elective office under the Constitution, if he/she:

 

(a) Has been convicted for any criminal offence and sentenced to imprisonment;

(b) Has been found guilty of corrupt practice at an election;

(c) Has been dismissed or removed from public service or the corporate sector;

(d) Has failed to lodge account of election expenses within the time and in the manner required by law and has no good reason or justification for the failure;

(e) Has solicited or resorted to any form of fund raising for campaigning in an election to Parliament or Local Governments from private individuals or any agency.

(f) Is married to a person who is not a citizen of Bhutan;

(g) Has been accused of felony in a pending case and the competent Court has taken cognisance and charges have been framed against him/her;

(h) Is in arrears of taxes or other dues to government;

(i) Has an existing contract with the government which has not been fully performed;

(j) Is working as a civil servant;

(k) Holds any office of profit; and

(l) Is so disqualified under this Act.

Major Planned Activities:

  • National Council Elections 2018

  • National Assembly Elections 2018