Paris, France: The Chief Election Commissioner of Central Tibetan Administration (CTA), Mr. Sonam Chophel Shosur addressed a group of Tibetans in Paris on 17 June 2019 about the amendments of the rules governing the elections of Tibetan deputies and Sikyong.

Tibetan Community President Ven. Tenzin Penpa welcomed the gathering and representative Tashi Phuntsok briefly introduced Mr. Shosur to the gathering and also explained the purpose of Mr. Shosur’s visit.

The main emphasis of the amendments was on the restrictions on patronage and instigation of competition in elections and its penalties, the ban on associations and NGOs promoting candidates, the expanded authority of Local Election Commissioners, the abbreviation of a period of the election process and the swifter process to facilitate decision of Sikyong election, etc.

After an hour’s presentation, question and answer session elicited interesting and thought-provoking queries. Questions such as how would the identification of association and NGOs would be done to curtail promoting candidates? Wouldn’t it be illogical to curtail well-intentioned promotion of candidates? Would greater facility for election be provided in the West where Tibetan residencies are scattered? Would counting and announcement of the votes be permitted to the local areas, instead of an earlier tradition of doing it at the headquarters of the Office of Tibet, etc. were raised at the meeting which was responded by Mr. Shosur thoroughly. He also informed that the next Election Commissioner would need to identify guidelines on grey areas. For example, regarding the identification of the associations and NGOs Mr. Shosur said that detailed guidelines would have to accompany the next election process to aid the proper implementation of the amendments.

The meeting was organised by the Tibetan Community in Paris.

Mr. Shosur arrived in Paris from Switzerland on 16 June and was received by Mr. Tashi Phuntsok, Representative, Office of Tibet, Brussels and the President of Tibetan Community. After concluding his meeting in Paris, Mr. Shosur left for Toronto. He was seen off at the airport by Representative and Mr. Namgyal Samdup, Coordinator, Bureau du Tibet, Paris, and the Tibetan Community President.

-Filed by Office of Tibet, Brussels