Washington, DC: As per the Election Commission’s awareness programmes in North America, Additional Election Commissioner Tsering Youdon provided briefings on electoral rules in California and Minnesota, which have large Tibetan community and met with regional election officers to provide guidance on electoral procedures.

From 22 to 24 November, the Tibetan Association of Northern California and the Tibetan American Foundation of Minnesota hosted a series of public sessions led by Additional Election Commissioner Tsering Youdon, who provided guidance and detailed presentations on the electoral rules to the public in both locations. She also held joint meetings with regional election officers, offering an overview of the development of Tibetan democracy in exile as well as the Election Commission’s announcement on 7 October 2025 that set the schedule for the 2025–2026 Sikyong and 18th Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile elections and marked the official start of the electoral process. She emphasised the importance of voter participation among all eligible individuals aged 18 and above as a fundamental expression of democratic rights, explained the key points of the electoral rules and the guidelines governing how candidates and their supporters should conduct election-related campaigning, and highlighted important matters requiring attention throughout the electoral process. Following the presentations, she responded to and clarified questions from the public and regional election officers.

Secretary of the Office of Tibet in Washington D.C. Tsering Dolma accompanied the Additional Election Commissioner during the engagements and the accommodations were arranged by the above two Tibetan Associations.

The Additional Election Commissioner Officer Tsering Youdon is visiting four major locations in North America during this trip. The programmes in California and Minnesota concluded on 24 November, after which she will proceed to Toronto (Canada) and then to New York City in the United States, where she will continue to provide guidance to the public and regional election officers in those areas.

– Report Filed by Office of Tibet, Washington, DC