Dharamshala — This year’s race for the Sikyong seat has at least two confirmed candidates – Dr Lobsang Sangay (Current Sikyong) and Mr Penpa Tsering (Current Speaker). More than 90 candidates will compete for the final election for the 16th Tibetan legislative body in March.
The Election Commission of the Central Tibetan Administration (ECCTA)Wednesday has announced the list of final candidates for the final round of elections of Sikyong and Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile (TPiE) scheduled on March 20, 2016.
"As per Article 67 (4) of the electoral rules and regulation, we have shortlisted two candidates for the final election of Sikyong 2016," the Chief Commissioner of the ECCTA, Mr Sonam Choephel Shosur said while addressing a press conference at the Lhakpa Tsering hall, Ghangchen Kyishong in Dharamshala, India, on Wednesday, February 3, 2016.
"Similarly, as per article 49(3)(a) of the electoral rules and regulation, which states that – the election commission should shortlist twice the stipulated seats for each constituency," in addition to the voluntary candidates for the election of the TPiE," Mr Choephel said.
"We have shortlisted twenty candidates plus one volunteer candidate for Utsang, twenty candidates each for Dotoe and Domey constituencies and four candidates each for the four schools of Tibetan Buddhism and Bon Religion " he declared.
"For the constituencies of Europe, North America, and Australasia (excluding India, Nepal and Bhutan) we have shortlisted the stipulated four candidates each, in addition to two volunteer candidates for North America and one volunteer candidate for Australasia," Mr Choephel added.
The ECCTA has declared Dr Lobsang Sangay (Sikyong) and Mr Penpa Tsering (Speaker) as the final candidates for Sikyong in the final round of elections, scheduled on March 20, 2016.
Mr Choephel Shosur accompanied by the two additional election commissioners announced the list during the press conference in the Himalayan town of Dharamshala, without question and answer session.
The preliminary elections of the16th TPiE and Sikyong 2016 that took place on October 18, 2015. Dr Lobsang Sangay, the current Sikyon maintained a lead by bagging 66.71% of votes. The second most voted candidate, Mr Penpa Tsering, TPiE Speaker got 23.47% votes.
The voter turn out was approximately 53% of registered voters. According to official sources, nearly 88,000 Tibetan voters across the world registered this time.
The 2016 general election is the second direct election of the Tibetan leadership since the complete devolution of political authority by His Holiness the Dalai Lama in 2011.
