DPT President

March 26: The President of Druk Phuensum Tshogpa said the governing party will remain accountable.

He said there is no risk of the party not remaining accountable to the electorate.

He said under a democracy, the people have the power and responsibility of electing the government and they also have the power and the right to hold the government accountable.

He said the Druk Phuensum Tshogpa candidates will be required to visit their constituencies twice a year to explain what the governing party is doing to achieve their development plans and find out what needs to be done. He said the party will enhance accountability and transparency through the media.

The DPT President also said his party did not expect to win by an overwhelming majority. He said they expected to win at the most about 28 to 31 seats.

The DPT President Jigmi Thinley said they will soon convene a meeting in the capital to identify who would be appointed as ministers in the new cabinet and discuss how they will best serve the country over the next five years.

Meanwhile, the National Assembly members elect from Druk Phuensum Tshogpa Yeshey Zimba and Ugyen Tshering said they were surprised by their party’s overwhelming win in the national assembly election. They were speaking to international and Bhutanese media yesterday.

Yeshey Zimba said though the opposition is weak, the national council will help ensure that the party is accountable to the public.

"We have the national council which also enjoys a very large power in Bhutan. They will be keeping a very close watch on the government and more important we now have the press.” Yeshey Zimba said.

He said they will not allow the party’s interest to overtake the national interest and ensure press freedom in the kingdom.

He said access to information will be guaranteed unless the information is highly classified.

He said BBS being the only television station in the country will get much more freedom.