July 8: The National Assembly endorsed the Public Election Fund Bill of the Kingdom of Bhutan yesterday.

The National Assembly discussed section 100 of the Public Election Fund Bill. Section 100 says the Election Commission shall notify both the respondent and the complainant if it finds no reason to believe that a violation of the provisions of this act or rules and regulations has occurred.

The Opposition Leader Tshering Tobgay said it is not fair to make the findings public only if the alleged violator is found guilty. He said if the alleged violator is found not guilty the Election Commission should make it public as well. His submission was supported by Bji-Katsho representative Ugyen Tenzin.

The house resolved that the changes would be made as per the submission made by the Opposition Leader.

Some members said if the complaints turn out to be untrue then the complainant should be penalized.

The Economic Affairs Minister Lyonpo Khandu Wangchuk said the aggrieved party can appeal to the Supreme Court. He asked what would be done if the verdict of the Supreme Court is different from that of the election commission. His submission was supported by the Kabji-Talo constituency candidate.

To this, the Chief Election Commissioner Dasho Kunzang Wangdi said the submission made by the members is true. But he said the Election Commission will, before making the findings public, carry out a thorough investigation. He said there will be no major difference in the verdicts of the Election Commission and the Supreme Court.

The house also deliberated extensively on section 136 and 137. Section 136 says no political party or a candidate shall be permitted to take loans or advances from any institution, organization or an individual for the purpose of incurring expenditure on election campaign.

Members said candidates should be allowed to take loans for the purpose of election campaigning incase their party cannot pay them enough money to campaign.