Farewell to the Two Election Commissioners

Thursday, 13 July 2006, 9:40 am

A file photo of the chief election commissioner, flanked by the two election commissioners at a news conference. Photo by: Sangay

Dharamshala: After the successful, smooth conclusion of the polling for the 14th Assembly and the second directly elected Kalon Tripa, the Tibetan Election Commission hosted last Wednesday a gala farewell dinner for its two (additional) election commissioners.

“It is my pleasure to announce that all the processes involved in the election of the Assembly and the Kalon Tripa have been accomplished as scrupulously as are required in the Charter of the Tibetans in Exile,” the chief election commissioner was quoted as having said at the dinner, attended by members of the Assembly (who observed the counting of ballots) and the office staff.

Mr Tenzin Dhargay Andruk, a former teacher at the Tibetan Children’s Village School, and Menpa Trika Kherab, a lecturer of Tibetan medicine, were inducted as election commissioners in June last year, after His Holiness the Dalai Lama nominated them from a shortlist drawn by an independent committee.

Speaking to TibetNet, Chief Election Commissioner Tashi Phuntsok said that the chief and
the two election commissioners worked in perfect sync, as their frank and candid discussions invariably led to unanimous decisions, almost at all times.

When asked what changes distinguished the recent polling, Mr. Phuntsok said that, apart from computer counting of ballots, one of the most salient was the extent of coverage exile election received in the media, particularly the Tibetan media. “Besides, the open public forum on Kalon Tripa’s election, which was broadcast live by the Tibetan radio service of Voice of America, web tv and local cable, was truly a historic event.”

“Although minor glitches at times of election are inevitable, we have been able to tackle
them one by one, as and when they arise, as per the provisions laid out in the
Charter,” the chief election commissioner added.

The (Tibetan) Election Commission is an autonomous body that organises the election
of the Kalon Tripa, members of the Assembly, the chairperson and vice chairperson of the ATPD, et al. The charter of the Tibetans in Exile provides for the appointment of two (additional) election commissioners at times of polling of the Kalon Tripa and the members of the Assembly. They have the same responsibility and power as the chief election commissioner.

The two election commissioners were appointed by His Holiness the Dalai Lama from a list of
candidates drawn by a special committee comprising of Kasur Kesang Yeshi, Kasur
Lobsang Dhargay and Kasur Jetsun Pema. The special committee in turn was formed
by another committee comprising chief justice commissioner, chairperson and
vice-chairperson of the Assembly and Kalon Tripa.

(www.tibet.net is the official website of the Central Tibetan Administration.)