Results of preliminary polls to be declared in November
Tuesday, 21 September 2005, 9.39AM
Dharamshala: The results of the preliminary polls of the Assembly of the Tibetan People’s Deputies will be declared on 8 November, according to the Election Commission of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA).
Earlier this month, hundreds of thousands of Tibetans across the world cast their ballots to nominate candidates for the 46-member highest legislative organ of the CTA.
Although the voter turn out varied from place to place, the overall figure is expected to be much higher than the last time round, says Chief Election Commissioner Tashi Phuntsok.
The final round of Assembly elections will be held together with that of the Kalon Tripa on 18 March 2006.
The five-year term of the incumbent 13th Assembly, currently in session, expires in April 2006.
Out of total 46 deputies, 43 are elected directly by the exiled Tibetans.
Tibetans belonging to the three traditional provinces of Tibetâ€â€ÂÂU-Tsang, Dotoe and Domedâ€â€ÂÂelect ten representatives each.
Two members each are elected from the ecclesiastical communities of the four schools of Tibetan Buddhism and the traditional Bon.
Three members are elected by the Tibetan communities in the West: two from Europe and one from North America.
In addition, three members with distinction in the fields of art, science, literature and community service are nominated directly by His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
Any Tibetan who has reached the age of 25 has the right to contest elections to the ATPD. The elections are held every five years and any Tibetan who has reached the age of 18 is entitled to vote.
(www.tibet.net is the official website of the Central Tibetan Administration.)
