October 16: Grassroot leaders like Gups, Mangmis, and Tshogpas should remain apolitical but they may attend party familiarization meetings.

Briefing the people of Dzome Gewog in Punakha on Sunday, the Dzongkhag Election officer said this is in keeping with a recent notification from the election commission. Around 200 people attended the briefing at the Mendreygang Community School.

Briefing them on the electoral process, the Dzongkhag Election officer Tan Dorji said in keeping with a recent notification from the election commission, gups and other grassroot leaders may attend the party familiarization meetings.

However they should still remain apolitical and not take part in politicking like campaigning or supporting any party. In the morning, the Gup and the Mangmi also briefed the people in the electoral process.

They read out the notifications form the Election Commission and explained what both the voters and party workers are allowed to do and what they are not allowed to do.

Following the meeting, BBS spoke to several people to find out what they have understood about the electoral process.

Last week, in an interview with the BBS, the Chief Election Commissioner Dasho Kunzang Wangdi said while civil servants should remain apolitical, they may attend the party familiarization meeting.