November 9: With the National Council election drawing near, Gewog Zomdus are being conducted across the kingdom to nominate the Gewog National Council candidates. However the people of Biteney Gewog in Tsirang are not. This is because Biteney Gewog does not still have a National Council candidate nominee.

Biteney Gewog under Tsirang Dzongkhag has close to 200 households with over 2400 people.

Our Tsirang reporter Sonam Ugyen says the Gewog is still left without a National Council candidate.

Nima Dorji, a 46-year-old business man told our reporter that people with Bachelors degree in the Gewog are not keen in resigning to contest the National Council election. He said to contest the National Council election they have to resign and leave their secure and salaried job. He said people are not willing to take this risk.

The Mangmi Tsehring Sherpa said there would be many nominees if the qualification criterion is not a Bachelors degree.

He however said the criterion is necessary considering the vital roles and responsibilities of the National Council.

Some of the villagers said it is sad to have no one contesting from the Gewog. However they said they will still play their role by voting for a capable candidate from other Gewogs.