Bhutan marches for democracy amidst apprehension

Nava Thakuria

The tiny Himalayan kingdom may have achieved a rare recognition for its initiative to adopt democracy, but many Bhutanese are still skeptical about the final outcome. When democracy is in peril in many parts of Asia, Bhutan has shown an extraordinary example to go for democracy with stipulated time frame.

The international communities are crying against the tyrannical rule under the present regimes in Burma (Myanmar) & Pakistan and the pro-democratic activists have been raising voices against the rulers of Thailand and China , but here is a monarch to pave way for multiparty democracy in expense of his own power. The former king of Bhutan, Jigme Singhe Wangchuk had taken the pain with a mission to elect a Prime Minister (with a council of ministers) in 2008 to rule the Buddhist nation.

Surrounded by Nepal, India and China, the Land of Thunder Dragon (as Bhutan is known), has in fact, stepped into a different footstep in present time in search of a new identity. From century old absolute monarchy to multiparty democracy, the picturesque kingdom with around seven lakhs (hundred thousand) population has made its mind to go for its first general election next year. The constituencies (altogether 47 out of 20 districts) for the National Assembly have already been demarcated, where around four hundred thousand voters would exercise their franchises.

Meanwhile, the Election Commission of Bhutan has conducted a preliminary mock poll on April 21 in all the 47 constituencies. Though the turnout was low, the election commission termed it as a success. Quoting Dasho Kunzang Wangdi, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) of Bhutan, the local newspapers reported, all together 124,747 cast their votes. Earlier the election commission declared, the total number of voters in country is 4,00,626. Four dummy political parties namely Druk Red Party, Druk Blue Party, Druk Green Party and Druk Yellow Party with different symbols and colours participated in the preliminary round of polls. Another round of dummy elections will be held on May 28.

The mock election was planned to educate the common Bhutanese on various aspects of polling, which in return is expected to help them (with the officials on duty) to prepare for the prescribed polls next year. Though the school students participated as dummy candidates in the poll, the rules and regulation were observed strictly. Moreover, the polling and counting officers, observers and security personnel were assigned for their respective duties. Electronic Voting Machines (EVM) were also used in the process, which was worked out between 9 am to 5 pm ( Bhutan is ahead of 30 minutes to India).

The process of transition from monarchy to democracy in Bhutan started in 2001. The then King Jigme Singhe empowered a council of ministers to serve the people of the kingdom in better ways. In 2004, the king also disclosed about a 34-point Constitution for the country. The Constitution is expected to get approved after a referendum, following which it would replace the present regime, which enjoys absolute monarch power. It may be mentioned that former King Jigme Singhe is the fourth representative of Wangchuk dynasty, which came to power in 1907 and continued till date.

Pouring more surprise to the hundred thousand Bhutanese, Jigme Singhe paved way for his eldest son, Crown Prince Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuk last year. He made his declaration in front of a crowd of nearly 8,000 monks, farmers and students at a remote village that 'Chhoetse Penlop (crown prince) will be enthroned as the Fifth Druk Gyalpo (Dragon King)'. The new king Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuk has already proved his intelligence, caring behaviour and also commitment to the country as his father maintained. Born in 1980, Jigme Khesar otherwise groomed by his father to rule Bhutan under a constitutional monarch. Moreover, King Jigme Khesar achieved a brilliant career during his higher studies in USA, UK and India.

The pages of local newspapers (Bhutan doesnot have a daily, but three periodicals namely the government controlled Kuensel, Bhutan Times and Bhutan Observer) are now full of advertisements from the election commission. The local television channel (Bhutan Broadcasting Service) also carries advertisement features in its national language Dzongkha narrating the importance of voting in the polls. Otherwise, Bhutan, which was out of reach for any television channel till 1999 is flooded with India-based satellite channels.

But there are worries among many Bhutanese as well. Speaking to this writer recently, a Thimphu based entrepreneurs said, "We are concerned about a series of bad elements of India that could penetrate to Bhutan after democracy is installed here." He had more to add, "Today we have no kind of strikes in Bhutan. Everything is on schedule. But there are lot of news about prolonged strikes in other side of the boundary (read India). I am really scared of such incidents taking place in our kingdom."

A Thimphu based journalist had more apprehension about insurgent activities after democracy settled in Bhutan. "I have reports that some Maobadis (Maoist) will try to manipulate the election candidates (primarily in south Bhutan, where a large population of Nepali speaking people live) for their strategic interest. Moreover, The Maoist (from Nepal) is understood to maintain link with many Northeast Indian insurgents (namely Kamatapur Liberation Organisation, National Democratic Front of Bodoland and United Liberation Front of Asom). So the consequence might not turn rosy for us."

The KLO, NDFB and ULFA once run many hideouts for shelter and training camps inside the thick jungles of southern Bhutan (bordering western Assam), which were later demolished by Royal Bhutan Army (with outside support from Indian Armed Forces) during Operation All Clear in December 2003. Following the incident, the ULFA leaders used to threat the Bhutanese people on and off. For Bhutanese, it becomes a mater of concern, as they use Indian roads (particularly North Bengal and Assam) to go from western part to eastern part of their country. The eloquent journalist, who otherwise wanted anonymity, concluded, "Those insurgents may try to achieve logistic support from those elected candidates in Bhutan or the worst, they would trek again into our land for regrouping and continuing hostile activities." #