Lotay Tshering
Bhutan PM Lotay Tshering. Image - Twitter (BBS)

Finally, the provisional result of the final round of the Bhutan’s third parliamentary polls has been out and Druk Nyamrup Tshogpa (DNT) won the National Assembly elections.

A report published by DD News at 8:39 pm on Thursday, stated that according to the provisional results, DNT has won 30 seats in 47-member National Assembly, the Lower House of the Parliament of Bhutan.

On the other hand, Druk Phuensum Tshogpa (DPT), which formed the first Bhutan Government following parliamentary electoral process in 2008, has secured a total of 17 seats.

The polling for the third parliamentary elections began in the early morning on Thursday and the voters exercised their franchise in 865 polling stations in 20 districts across the country.

Also read: Who is next PM of Bhutan: Lotay Tshering or Pema Gyamtsho

There were a total of 94 candidates, 47 each from the DNT and the DPT who fought the final round of the Bhutan general polls.

In the preliminary round of the parliamentary polls which was held last, the DNT came first with 31.5% of the votes, followed closely by the DPT with 30.6% while the PDP, which formed Government after 2013 polls, came third with 27.2% of votes and was disqualified for the final round.

Also read: Bhutan polls 2018: Around 47 per cent polling recorded till midday

According to the Constitution of Bhutan only two parties, which get highest votes in the primary round, can participate in the final round of the parliamentary polls.

After the win in the polls, PM-elect DNT president Lotay Tshering while thanking the people of the country, media and the Election Commission of Bhutan, stated: “I would like to thank everyone, including the media and the ECB, for playing an important role in ensuring smooth and successful elections. I look forward to working with the other 46 candidates elected today.”

On the other hand, DPT president Pema Gyamtsho congratulated PM-elect Lotay Tshering and all the candidates for winning the polls.

Gyamtsho stated: “Firstly, I would like to congratulate DNT President and candidates for their win. DPT focused on economic self-reliance and I feel maybe not everyone understood that well. Democracy is about people’s choice.”

The statements of Lotay Tshering and Pema Gyamtsho were uploaded by the Bhutan Broadcasting Service (BBS), the National TV and Radio Broadcaster of the Kingdom of Bhutan, on its Twitter handle.

According to BBS, it was a big win for the women on Thursday with “Bhutan electing 7 out of the 10 women candidates who contested in the 3rd National Assembly elections”.

Meanwhile, former Bhutan PM and president of Prime People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Tshering Tobgay has congratulated Bhutan PM-elect Dr Lotay Tshering and his party, DNT, for winning the third parliamentary polls of Bhutan.

Tobgay on his Twitter handle on Thursday stated: On behalf of PDP, I offer my heartiest Tashidelek to PM elect Dr Lotay Tshering and DNT for securing the people’s mandate to serve as the third government in our Democratic Constitutional Monarchy.”

He also congratulated Opposition leader-elect Dr Pema Gyamtsho and his party, DPT.

“My congratulations also to OL elect Dr Pema Gyamtsho and DPT,” tweeted Tobgay.

He also tweeted: “May our beloved Drukyul enjoy continued peace, stability and prosperity under their stewardship.”