The
study of democracy and democratic transition would be incomplete without
struggle for universal suffrage forming part of it. Starting from Athens in 500
BC to Arab Spring at this millennium, history is replete with sacrifices made
by mankind in their claim for right to participate and vote in democratic system
as well as in any other forms of government. Revolutions, bloodsheds and loss
of lives stand as its testimony. Eventually, periodic election has evolved as
one of the important features of any democratic regimes. In stark contrast to
democracy elsewhere, Bhutanese democracy is the result of constant nurturing by
visionary Monarchs through series of devolution, deconcentration and
decentralization processes. To this, no theories of democratic transition can explain
the evolution of democracy in Bhutan. Bestowing of adult suffrage to every
Bhutanese above eighteen years of age disregard of gender, class and race from
the throne in itself indicate the uniqueness of Bhutanese democracy. This has
been further propelled by explicit provision under Article 7, Fundamental
Rights, section 6 of the Constitution of the Kingdom of Bhutan that envisages,
“A Bhutanese citizen shall have the right to vote”. Right that has come with corresponding
duty.
In
2008, exactly after hundred years of Monarchy, Bhutanese went to polls to elect
their representatives to the Parliament, the highest law making body of the
Country. Amid keen observers, both from within the country and abroad, the
voter turnout with 53% for the National Council and 79% for the National
Assembly Elections were applauded far and wide, otherwise a developing country
with almost half of the population being illiterate living in rural villages.
This impressive participation by the electorates was attributed to His Majesty,
the Fourth Druk Gyalpo’s and His Majesty the King, then the Crown Prince’s
efforts to encourage people to take part in democratic setup during their
nationwide tour to discuss the draft Constitution besides Election Commission
of Bhutan doing its part through advocacy.
Five
years later, electorates went again to the polls to determine the next crop of their
representatives. Against the leaders being unequivocal that the first five
years of democracy has taken firm root with all institutions in place, people opted
otherwise. Anti-incumbency mood marked both National Council and National Assembly
Elections. More worrying was the dwindling figures of voter turnout for the
second Parliamentary elections in 2013. With 45.1% and 66% voter turnout for
National Council and National Assembly Elections respectively, it was a drop
from 53% and 79% correspondingly in 2008 Elections. Observers cited timing of
the election as the probable cause for the low percentage of voter turnout.
Spring and summer farm works kept farmers engaged in their fields, people in
the high altitude areas were already into cordyceps collection while some electorates
in the urban centres stayed back citing probable ever-sliding road networks in
the monsoon as a difficulty.
In
the same vein, recently held by-election of National Assembly representative
for Nanong-Shumar Constituency under Pemagatshel Dzongkhag after the
resignation of Jigme Yoezer Thinley did not reveal the ideal picture either.
During the General Election on 13th July, 2013, 4,753 people of the
total 8,278 eligible voters of the said constituency cast their votes. However,
the by-election saw only 2, 913 exercising their franchise. Postal ballot also
dropped by large margin. Total number of postal ballot received and counted
stood at 292, three votes lesser from 295, the losing candidate Pema Wangchuk
got during the General Election in which Jigme Yoezer Thinley, the elected
candidate received more than 1000 postal ballots. Electorates becoming
apathetic are evidenced by their preference to watch television programmes such
as English Premier League and others against election results broadcast by Bhutan
Broadcasting Service Corporation (BBSC). If people’s exercise of their
franchise is the yardstick to measure their participation in democratic
process, the success of democracy needs to ponder upon.
The
Constitution of the Kingdom of Bhutan, 2008, Article 23, Elections, section 1
stipulates, “Under this Constitution, the general will of the people shall be
the basis of government and it shall be expressed through periodic elections”.
To this end, elections for both the Parliament and Local Governments are held
after every five years. However, lower percentage of voter turnout for second
parliamentary election compared to the first needs to be assessed and demands
closer look. Comprehensive study by engaging relevant institutions and stake
holders would help in drawing an evidenced based conclusion that would aid in
designing appropriate approaches and strategies that would create enabling
conditions for greater participation in elections by electorates in coming
future.
Written on Wednesday, 13th
of November, 2013 corresponding to the 11th Day of the First 10th
Month of Water Female Snake Year of Bhutanese Lunar Calendar
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