January 31: The Election Commission officially declared the results of the National Council elections for the five Dzongkhags of Thimphu, Gasa, Haa, Lhuentse and Trashiyangtse yesterday.

The Chief Election Commissioner Dasho Kunzang Wangdi said the historic elections went smoothly except for a few minor problems. He said more than 42% of the voters turned out to take part in the elections.

The results were officially declared by the Chief Election Commissioner, Dasho Kunzang Wangdi yesterday morning. Dasho Kunzang Wangdi also read out the names of the elected National Council candidates from the five Dzongkhags.

The Chief Election Commissioner said except for a few minor lapses related to postal ballots and voter photo identity cards, the elections went smoothly. He thanked the Government of India for providing helicopter services to airlift election officials to remote places like Lunana and Lingshi.

With a voter turn out of 42.3%, 18,173 voters turned up to cast their votes on January 29. Of that 586 voted through postal ballots. The National Council Election was observed by seven officials from UNDP office in Thimphu and ten National Observers.