July 15: The National Assembly discussed section 147 of the Election Bill yesterday. According section 147 of the bill, if the ruling party is dissolved, the National Assembly shall stand dissolved and fresh elections held.

But what happens if the opposition party is dissolved? Then an opposition party shall be elected to fill the seats left vacant by the dissolution of the opposition party. The election will be held within sixty days from the date of the dissolution of the opposition party. The election will be contested by parties registered with the election commission.

The Opposition Leader Tshering Tobgay asked what would happen if no political parties come forward to contest the opposition party election.

To this the Election Commissioner Chogyal Dago Rinzin said in such circumstances the ruling party shall continue to function till they complete the term of office.

The Opposition Leader also asked what would happen if only one party submits the letter of intent. To this, the Election Commission said an uncontested election shall be conducted.

This means the party will have to nominate candidates to fill up seats left vacant by the dissolution of the opposition and let the voters endorse the candidates or the party through an election. But if two or more registered parties come forward then the Election Commission will call for an election. Whichever party gets the majority vote will have to nominate candidates to fill the vacant seats in the opposition.

Discussing the issue, the Labour and Human Resource Minister Lyonpo Dorji Wangdi and the Information and Communications Minister Lyonpo Nandalal Rai said the Ruling Party should also be given the privilege to contest the election to fill the seats left vacant by the dissolution of the opposition party.

The Oppositional Leader Tshering Tobgay and the Goenkhatoe-Laya member Damcho Dorji said it is unconstitutional to allow the ruling party and their candidates to contest in the Oppositional Party election.

They said Article 15 of the Constitution makes it clear that the ruling party shall not contest in the Opposition Party Election.

To this the Election Commission said it is not proper for the ruling party to contest the Opposition Party election. The Election Commissioner said that it is also against the Constitution.