July 1: Candidates for local government elections will not be allowed to campaign either with funds from the government or at their own cost. This was decided by the members of the National Assembly yesterday.

The National Assembly saw heated debate on whether candidates to local government elections should be allowed to campaign.

The Labour and Human Resources Minister Lyonpo Dorji Wangdi said candidates contesting local elections should not be allowed to campaign. He said the local governments should remain apolitical and campaigning even with their own funds would provide room for corruption. His submission was supported by eleven other members. They said campaigning for local elections is not necessary since the candidates would be known to the people.

The Opposition Leader Tshering Tobgay, the Agriculture Minister Lyonpo Pema Gyamtsho, the Health Minister Lyonpo Zanglay Dukpa and the National Assembly member from Nysho-Sephu constituency Gyem Dorji however argued that they should be allowed to campaign. They said campaigning is equally important for candidates to local elections.

The Opposition Leader Tshering Tobgay said candidates to local government elections should be given a nominal fund from the Election Commission.

The Agriculture and Health ministers and the National Assembly member from Nyisho-Sephu constituency said even if the candidates to local elections are not given funds from the Election Commission, they should be allowed to campaign with their own funds with the Election Commission fixing a ceiling on their spending.

The Chief Election Commissioner Dasho Kunzang Wangdi said it is necessary for candidates contesting local government elections to campaign to inform and educate the public. He said a limit on campaign spending should be fixed but they should be allowed to campaign.

After prolonged debate, the house resolved that local government leaders will not be allowed to campaign either with funds from the Election Commission or at their own cost.