November 28: The Election Commission of Bhutan informs the general public that, at this point and in view of the reasons mentioned below, the Commission could not find any scope for the Bhutan People’s United Party to be registered as a political party to take part in the first parliamentary elections in 2008.

A release from the Election Commission says having reviewed the application for registration as a political party, in a fair and objective manner in accordance with the Constitution of the Kingdom of Bhutan and the electoral laws, concluded that Bhutan People’s United Party does not have the capacity to fulfill the national aspirations, visions and goals, in terms of its ability to run the government and have candidates who could be members of the cabinet and parliament.

The release says while claiming to be the first to form a party in the kingdom, the Bhutan People’s United Party has failed to prove its capability as a credible party even as of date.

It lacks credible leadership of the caliber that is needed to run and manage the affairs of the nation or even the management of the group itself as is evident by the fact that it has only an interim president, when under the laws there has to be key office bearers democratically appointed, while pinning hope on one Ritulal and a Lady to serve as the group’s president.

The release from the Election Commission says that Bhutan People’s United Party lacks both maturity and the appropriate mix and strength in terms of its membership, since more than 80 percent of the members are dropouts or have no credible academic qualifications.

The release adds that the party’s claim to be a party for the downtrodden, Nyamchung and waiving off membership and registration fees is a contradiction to the noble principles enshrined in the Constitution for a nation that is united, not divided, based on religion, economic and or social status.

The Election Commission says any effort to project a party as representing the nymachhung is evidence of the group being not broad-based and cross national, in contravention of Article 15 section 4 C of the Constitution according to which, a political party shall be registered by the Election Commission on its satisfying that it is broad-based with cross national membership and support and is committed to national cohesion, stability and fully subscribes to the principles enshrined in the Constitution.

Despite making claims to the Election Commission, that it enjoys the popular support of more than 2500 youth and thousands of voters in the dzongkhag, the group has only 13 names enrolled in the electoral roll out of 42 members mentioned at the time of application.

The release from the Election Commission says as per the membership list, seven Dzongkhags were represented by only one registered voter each. Even if those persons from whom membership and registration fees were not collected are considered as members, it does not fulfill the requirement for broad-based membership as per section 4.1 of the political parties’ rules.

The charter submitted has no clear ideology, vision and mission, indicating lack of leadership with capability to envision goals and objectives of the group.

The release says that the Election Commission takes the responsibility for the registration of political parties as a most serious and critical one in view of the fact that once a group of registered voters is registered as a political party it would be called upon to take over the mantle of management of the national affairs of the kingdom of Bhutan under the democratic constitutional monarchy.

Therefore ensuring that parliamentary elections are contested by candidates and political parties that have the will, competence, experience, qualification and the appropriate support is considered ever important.

According to the release as per sections 139 and 140 of the Election Bill of the Kingdom of Bhutan, the applicant can avail of an opportunity to be heard, if it so desires.

According to the Election Commission, the release is issued as per the directives of the Election Commission in keeping with the resolution of the Commission adopted during the special session convened on the November 21, 2007.