Bhutan recorded 71.46 per cent of total voters’ turnout in the National Assembly parliamentary elections held on Thursday.
Also read: Lotay Tshering-led DNT wins Bhutan’s 3rd National Assembly polls
This was officially announced by the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) of Bhutan at a media briefing about the third Parliamentary National Assembly Election held at the Democracy House in Thimphu on Friday.
Addressing media persons, the CEC also said that the percentage of rejected postal ballots was less than one per cent, which is negligible, ‘especially if you compare with other countries’.
Of over 400,000 total eligible registered voters, more than 300,000 have cast their votes in the National Assembly General Election.
The total voter turnout was 313473 out of the total of 4,38000 eligible voters.
The total votes polled in Electronic Voter Machines (EVMs) were 199553; while 113920 votes were polled through postal ballots.
Notably in the primary round, the voters’ turnout was 66.6 per cent.
The CEC also thanked all involved in the smooth conduct of the elections for their role in ensuring free and fair elections.
The CEC, replying to a query from media persons admitted that social media cannot be curbed.
However, ‘it was not as damaging as people perceived it to be,’ the CEC said.
The Election Commission of Bhutan further stated that more than monitoring social media for unlawful or defamatory content, what is required is ‘social media literacy’ for citizens.
The Election Commission of Bhutan disclosed that 18 posts that were found detrimental to national interests as well party interests were removed from Facebook and Wechat.
While officially declaring the results, the CEC said, “With 30 seats, DNT receives the mandate to form the government and DPT, with 17 seats, to form the Opposition.”
“It is also a big win for women today with Bhutan electing 7 out of the 10 women candidates who contested in the 3rd National Assembly elections,” the CEC further added.