May 24: The chief observer of the European Union Election Observation Mission (EU EOM), Mr. Javier Pomes Ruiz described the National Assembly elections as free and fair and met the international standards. “It was one of the best elections i have personally observed as EU election observer,” he said.

The EU EOM in its final report has suggested that the number of seats in the National Assembly be increased from 47 to 55 as there is provision to increase the number of seats in the Draft Constitution. They said the eight additional seats could be given as what they called compensatory seats to the opposition.

A team of 15 experts was in the country for about two months to observe the National Assembly election in Bhutan. The mission has recommended that the authorities consider various options to allow voters to vote from the place where they reside.

It says civil servants who contest the National Assembly election or other public office should be allowed to return to the civil service if they are not elected.

The official announcement of the results should be delayed until the election petition period of ten days is over. The report said postal ballots should be extended to the spouse of civil servants and the academic qualification should be removed to allow a broader section of the society access to public office.

It said the legal exclusion of members of religious communities from the right to vote should be reviewed.

The Final Reports has 42 recommendations including the need to have multi party in future election, the need to strengthen the Bhutanese media, the election administration and the legal framework.