Dharamshala, India — Pema Jungney, one of senior Tibetan lawmakers sworn in as the new Speaker of the 16th Parliament-in-Exile by the Chief Justice Commissioner Kargyu Dhoundup. The ceremony was held at T.Building of the Central Tibetan Administration at Gangchen Kyishong.
After the pledge, the new Speaker commented on the current state of affairs saying that ‘I have been chosen by the people and so I will always work for them’ and added that the ‘the Tibetan Parliaments aim has always been to work together and with the support of the Indian Parliament, as we are living in India and thus is necessary for our progress.’
The ceremony was attended by the top administrators of CTA, namely, The president of Central Tibetan Administration Dr. Lobsang Sangay; Chief Justice, Commissioner Deputy Speaker of Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile, Justice Commissioners, Kalons, The head of the autonomous bodies and all other eminent members.
The 16th Tibetan Parliament elected Ven Khenpo Sonam Tenphel and Pema Jungney as Joint Speakers of the Tibetan Parliament. Ven Khenpo Sonam Tenphel will preside over the first of the speakers’ term from 30th May 2016 to 30th November 2018 and the left over term will be presided by Pema Jungney from 1st December 2018 to 30th May 2021.
It is the second time that the Speakers post had to shared between two members of parliament, who got equal number of votes in the election. The first time this happened was In 2006, The 14th Parliament, when two contenders Late Karma Choephel and Penpa Tsering had been Joint Speakers.
