February 1: The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and Druk Phuensum Tshogpa (DPT) have finalized their candidates for all the 47 constituencies for the National Assembly Elections which will be held on March 24.

A news release from the People’s Democratic Party says the candidates were elected by their executive committee on January 30.

Following the election, the party president Sangay Ngedup offered Tashi Khadhar to the candidates.

The news release says the party president congratulated the candidates and told them that it is not enough for the candidates to just win the elections – following the elections, the party has to win for the country and the true winners must be the people of Bhutan.

The news release says the candidates will proceed to their constituencies to file their nomination papers with the respective returning officers. After they receive the letter of acceptance from the returning officers, the candidates will begin campaigning in their constituencies.

Meanwhile the PDP President Sangay Ngedup filed his nomination papers with the returning officer in Kuruthang earlier today. He is contesting the election from the Kabji Talo constituency in Punakha.

The Druk Phuensum Tshogpa has also finalized their candidates in all the 47 constituencies.

The party’s secretary Thinley Gyamtsho said the candidates will now file their nomination papers with the returning officers. He said while the party has finalized the candidates, the list can be considered final only after the nomination papers are accepted by the returning officers.