October 03: The election commission today formally announced the approval of the registration of the Druk Phuensum Tshogpa as a political party.

Druk Phuensum Tshogpa is the second party to formally register with the election commission of Bhutan.

The announcement was made by the Chief election commissioner Dasho Kuenzang Wangdi at a conference attended by the election officials and party members.

Druk Phuensum Tshogpa was formed by a group of 202 registered voters with former minister Jigmi Thinley as its President.

A news release from the Election Commission says having fulfilled the qualifications and requirements as set under the laws of the kingdom of Bhutan, Druk Phuensum Tshogpa is registered with the Election Commission from October 2.

The party symbol of the Druk Phuensum Tshogpa, a pictorial design of three Thrung-Thrung Karm with plain background has been approved.

The Chief Election commissioner described the registration of the second political party as an important milestone in Bhutan’s journey towards democratic constitutional monarchy. Dasho Kuenzang Wangdi said the parties must initiate a tradition of clean and healthy politics.

He reminded that political parties are allowed to present party charter and candidates but not manifesto during the familiarization visit.

The Chief Election commissioner said political parties must not politicize educational institutions and segregate groups by gender, region or other status in the society.

The news release also says that the party should deposit with the Public Election Fund Division of the Election commission all fees, voluntary contributions made to the party by ineligible individuals including religious personalities or public officials latest by October 17.

The party will also have to intimate by the end of this month the establishment of all Dzongkhag offices.

Membership of 92 members of the party, who are listed as members but not yet reflected in the electoral roll as registered member will be accepted only upon confirmation of their enrolment in the electoral roll.

The party should also revise its membership form to meet the requirements of the election commission. All members who had registered earlier should reregister in the revised party membership form.

The officiating President of the Party, former minister Yeshey Zimba said now with two parties formally registered, people have a choice. He said the most important task before the parties and the nation at this juncture is to strengthen the institution of democracy.

Following the party registration, the party inaugurated its head office at Changlam.

The former principal of the Royal Academy of Performing Arts, Thinley Jamtsho was sworn in as the party secretary at the party’s office.

The charter of the party, the election symbol, statement of accounts and the list of registered members as on this date will be made available on the election commission’s website www.election-bhutan.org.bt or at the party’s head office for public information.