October 31: The Presidents of both Druk Phuensum Tshogpa and People’s Democratic Party have concluded their familiarization tours in eastern Bhutan. The familiarization tour has helped prepare the electorate but there are still many people who seem lost in the political maze.

The parliamentary election is drawing near. The majority of voters in Trashigang are now mentally prepared having attended the briefings by the presidents of both PDP and DPT.

They talk about party and politics everywhere, be it at home, in the office, restaurants, shops, or at gatherings.

But this is not the case with Ap Puendu, a 76 year old man from Wongmang village. Wongmang village is in Lumang Gewog under Trashigang Dzongkhag. Ap Puendu is unaware of the political developments taking place in the country.

He says he does not know anything about the parties or elections. He does not go to meetings himself, instead he sends his children. Ap Puendu says he does not have the time, also he has a hearing problem.

Same is the case with 54 year old Toney from Saythang village under Lumang Gewog in Trashigang. Toney feels voting is important. He says he went to attend the briefing by the party president in his Gewog but he did not understand anything.

Many people said the party workers briefed the people in the national language Dzongkha. Due to this, they could not understand much, they said.

Many people have been able to keep abreast of the developments in the kingdom but they have their own doubts and apprehensions.

Tashi Wangchuk from Domtshang Goenpa in Trashiyantse says he is familiar with the political changes. For Tashi Wangchuck and many others like him, deciding who to vote for is not going to be easy.

For the party workers as well as election officials, focusing on clarifying their doubts and allying their apprehensions may go a long way in ensuring the success of the parliamentary election.