Speaker Khenpo Sonam Tenphel (left) and Deputy Speaker Dolma Tsering of the 17th Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile, 8 October 2021. Photo/Tenzin Phende/CTA
Dharamshala: In the afternoon of 8th October, the 17th Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile elected its Speaker and Deputy Speaker under the supervision of Tibetan Election Commission. Prior to the actual voting, the Chief Election Commissioner Pesur Wangdu Tsering explained the rules and regulations of the voting.
Forty-five parliamentarians of the 17th Tibetan Parliament voted to elect its new Speaker with two names – Khenpo Sonam Tenphel and Dolma Tsering- popping up from the rest. Khenpo Sonam Tenphel won the internal election for Speaker with 23 votes while Dolma Tsering received 22 votes.
Following the victory of Khenpo Sonam Tenphel as a new Speaker, the parliamentarians elected their new Deputy Speaker. Three female names surfaced as candidates for the post of Deputy Speaker namely Dolma Tsering, Lhagyari Namgyal Dolkar, and Youdon Aukartsang. Dolma Tsering is declared the new Deputy Speaker of the 17th Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile after she secured 23 votes while Lhagyari Namgyal Dolkar received 18 votes and Youdon received 2 votes.
Brief Biography of Speaker Khenpo Sonam Tenphel
Ven Khenpo Sonam Tenphel was born at Rekhe in Kham in 1974. At the age of 13, he joined Nari Tashi Choeling monastery and received education in preliminary Buddhist teachings, meditation and rituals. He came to exile in 1993 and received an audience with His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Later he joined Namdroling monastery in South India and received monastic education in both Buddhist sutra and tantra teachings and earned a Lopon degree. He also served as an assistant teacher and later, as a teacher at Namdroling monastery. As appointed by Kyabje Drubwang Penor Rinpoche, he also served as a disciplinarian at the monastery for three years. In 2011, he received Doctorate in Buddhist Philosophy from Karma Kuchen Rinpoche. He was earlier elected to the 14th Tibetan Parliament as a representative from the Nyingma school of Buddhism. In 2011, he was elected as the Deputy Speaker of the 15th Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile. Khenpo Sonam Tenphel was also elected as the Speaker of the 16th Tibetan parliament with Mr Pema Jungney on time-sharing basis. Khenpo Sonam Tenphel was elected as the Speaker of 17th Tibetan Parliament in Exile.
Brief Biography of Deputy Speaker Dolma Tsering
Dolma Tsering was born on 1st July 1956 at Dagne, Tibet. She completed her school education, followed by her bachelor’s degree and teacher training course with the kind help and blessing of His Holiness the great 14th Dalai Lama, and the Central Tibetan Administration. For 26 years, she has worked as a teacher in various Tibetan schools for which she was facilitated by the Department of Education of the Central Tibetan Administration. She has served as the President of the 9th and 10th Utsang Central Executive Committee and is currently an advisor to the committee. She is also a recipient of the Fulbright Scholarship, the USA of 2001, where she studied Special Education and seized the opportunity of spreading awareness on Tibet’s issue to the American and international students studying there. Ms. Tsering was previously elected to the 13th, 14th, 15th, and 16th Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile and has been a member of the Standing Committee and many other parliamentary committees numerous times. As a Parliament Member, she has always been very vocal in apprising the general public’s aspiration in the house and has taken active participation in the official visitation, and Tibet outreach programs in India and abroad. She is currently a member of the 17th Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile from Utsang province.
Election Commissioner Pesur Wangdu Tsering at the voting for Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the 17th Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile, 8 October 2021. Photo/Tenzin Phende/CTA
The board depicting the result of the Deputy Speaker vote, 8 October 2021.
