Dharamshala: Nangsa Choedon, former Secretary of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) and Director of the Tibetan Nuns Project in India, and Tsering Youdon, former Tibetan parliament member, were sworn in as the new Additional Election Commissioners at a ceremony held this morning, 1 October 2025, at the Sikyong Hall in Gangchen Kyishong.

They were elected to the position during the tenth session of the 17th Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile, having secured a majority vote in accordance with Article 97(3)(5) of the Charter of Tibetans-in-Exile.

At the swearing-in ceremony, Chief Justice Commissioner Yeshi Wangmo administered the oath of office to the new Additional Election Commissioners. The event was attended by Speaker Khenpo Sonam Tenphel; Officiating Sikyong Dolma Gyari (Kalon of the Department of Security); Tibetan Justice Commissioners Dawa Phunkyi and Phagpa Tsering; Kalon (Minister) Norzin Dolma (Department of Information and International Relations); Chief Election Commissioner Lobsang Yeshi; Auditor General Tashi Topgyal; Public Service Commission members Passang Tsering and Tsultrim Dorjee; as well as the Secretary of the Tibetan Supreme Justice Commission, Lhadruk, and Secretary of the Election Commission, Lobsang Choedak.

The ceremony began with the recitation of auspicious prayers by monks from Nechung Dorje Drayangling Monastery. Following the oath-taking, CTA leadership in attendance congratulated the new Additional Election Commissioners with khatags (ceremonial scarves) and extended their best wishes.

Nangsa Choedon, born in 1954 in Kyirong (Ch: Jilong), Tibet, is a seasoned Tibetan administrator and former Secretary of the Central Tibetan Administration. She holds a Master’s degree in International Public Administration. She completed her primary and secondary education at Sambhota Tibetan School in Mussoorie (then called Central School for Tibetans) and pursued higher education at Punjab University.

Her career in the Central Tibetan Administration began on 1 July 1977 as an English Secretary at the Paonta Cholsum Tibetan Settlement Office, starting in the position of Junior Clerk. From 1978 to 1990, she served as Accountant cum Office Secretary at the Chauntra Nangchen Tibetan Settlement Office, holding the position of Senior Clerk. After being promoted to Under Secretary, she took on the responsibility of Tibetan Settlement Officer of Bir Boetsog Tibetan Settlement (also known as Bir Tibetan Society) from 1990 to 1993.

From 1993 to 1997, Nangsa Choedon served as Planning Officer and head of the Scholarship Section of the Department of Education. During this period, she was promoted from Under Secretary to Joint Secretary.

Between 1997 and 1999, she furthered her studies in the United States through the Tibetan Fulbright Scholarship Programme.

After returning to the CTA in November 1999, she continued her service at the Department of Education until her appointment as Secretary of the Public Service Commission in 2004.

Following ten years of service at the Public Service Commission, she was appointed Representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to Africa at the Office of Tibet in Pretoria, South Africa, in 2014.

On 1 January 2017, she was appointed Secretary of the Department of Education. After more than 40 years of dedicated service to the Central Tibetan Administration, she retired on 1 July 2017. She currently serves as Director of the Tibetan Nuns Project, a non-governmental organisation, and was elected as Additional Election Commissioner during the tenth session of the 17th Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile.

Tsering Youdon was born in 1963 in Dehradun, Northern India. She completed her primary and secondary education at SFF/CST Herbertpur and pursued secretarial studies in Bangalore. She holds a Master’s degree in Political Science from the University of Mysore.

From 1982 to 1991, Tsering Youdon worked at MYRADA, a non-governmental organisation in Mysore, serving as a secretary for three years, a project manager for another three years, and then working in the computer and sponsorship sections for the remaining three years.

Between 1991 and 2000, she served as Project Officer at Rabgyeling Tibetan Settlement in Hunsur. During this period, she was actively involved in local governance and community organisations. She was a member of the local Tibetan Election Commission from 1991 to 1994 and again from 1998 to 2005. She chaired the local Tibetan Women’s Association from 1995 to 1997 and served as President of the regional Domey Association’s executive committee for three years. Her career also includes serving as Chair of the local Parents’ Association from 2001 to 2004, as well as being an executive committee member of the Regional Tibetan Youth Congress for two terms. In the Regional Tibetan Youth Congress, she served as cashier from 2001 to 2004 and later as Vice President starting in June 2004. Known for initiating and implementing innovative activities with notable success, she was elected in April 2005 as Director of Rabgyeling Settlement’s Cooperative Society by the residents.

From 2006 to 2021, Tsering Youdon was elected for three terms as a member of the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile. On 18 September 2025, she was elected as Additional Election Commissioner by the 17th Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile during its 10th session.