Dharamshala — The Election Commission of Central Tibetan Administration announced on October 7, 2025, that primary election of the 2025-26 for Sikyong and member of 18th Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile will be held on February 1, 2026 and the final election will be hel on April 26, 2025, on the same day for Tibetans around the world. The official slogans for the 2025-26 Tibetan Elections is " I am Tibet, I vote for Tibet," signifying unity and strength of the Tibetan people.
Chief Election Commissioner Lobsang Yeshi, accompanied by Additional Election Commissioners Nangsa Choedon and Tsering Youdon of the Central Election Commission of the Central Tibetan Administration held a press conference to officially announce the schedule for the upcoming 2025-2026 elections for the Sikyong and the 18th Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile, as well as the electoral code of conduct, on October 7, 2025, at the Lhakpa Tsering Auditorium of the Department of Information and International Relations (CTA). Reporters from various Tibetan outlets, as well as reporters from Indian national and local media, attended the press conference and asked questions.
Chief Election Commissioner Lobsang Yeshi, announces,"The Preliminary Election for Sikyong and 18th Tibetan Parliament in Exile is scheduled on Sunday, 1st February 2026, and the Final Election on Sunday, 26th April 2026. The official slogan for the 2025-26 Tibetan Elections will be ‘I AM TIBET, I VOTE FOR TIBET’, signifying unity and strength of the Tibetan people.
"The voter’s registration shall begin on October 8 and must conclude by November 8, 2025. Tibetans who have attained the age of 18 years on 23rd November 2025 are eligible for voter registration. All registered voters must have paid their Green Book dues up to 31st March 2026. The voters must carry their Green Book with them wherever they may be, in order to exercise their voting rights," the Chief election commissioner.
He said, "In accordance with Article 67 (4) of the Election Rules and Regulations, which states: “…a minimum of two candidates for the final election of Sikyong must be announced…,” the Election Commission has decided to shortlist top two candidates for the final election from the results of preliminary election, which is in accordance with the established procedure and precedence."
"The Article 37 of the Election Rules and Regulations stipulates the Composition and Strength of Tibetan Parliament with 10 members including at least 2 women each elected from the three provinces of Tibet; 2 members each from Nyingma, Kagyu, Sakya, Gelug and Bon religion; 2 members elected by Tibetan community in North and South Americas; 2 members elected by Tibetan community in Europe and Africa; 1 member elected by Tibetan community in Asia (excluding India, Nepal & Bhutan) and Australasia. The total strength of Tibetan Parliament is thus fixed at 45 members," the Chief election commissioner declared.
"One of the major challenges facing our society today is the dissemination of false information through misuse of social media, which threatens social harmony and unity among Tibetans. Therefore, the Tibetan public must be vigilant against online rumor mongering and disinformation," the Chief election commissioner Lobsang Yeshi said.
He said, "To ensure that the elections are conducted smoothly in accordance with the Election Rules and Regulations, the Election Commission will organise training for the Regional Election Commissioners on 16 November 2025. Concurrently, the Chief Election Commissioner and Additional Election Commissioners will pay official visits to various Tibetan communities to introduce and explain the electoral rules and guidelines to the general public."
The Central Election Commission issued a 14- points guidelines for the candidates for the Election of Sikyong and Members of the 18th Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile, 2025-2026.
- Candidates for the election of Sikyong and the 18thTibetan Parliament in Exile cannot use picture of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Tibetan national flag, the emblem of the Central Tibetan Administration and map of Tibet,for their election campaign.
- By adhering both in letter and spirit to the Charter and the Election Rules and Regulations, CTA,candidates must strictly follow the model code of conduct and guidelines issued by the Election Commission for the electoral process.
- Although candidates may conducttheir election campaigns through speeches, correspondence, publications, and personal websites, they cannot make personal criticisms, actions causing discord, religious and regional divisions, bribery, or any form of inducements.
- The fundamental rights of individual voters must be protected. Exerting coercion or pressurising someone to vote or not to vote is strictly prohibited. Furthermore, no candidate, supporter, or anyone may solicit support or assistance related to election matters from official staff of the Central Tibetan Administration, particularly election officials, by exploiting their positions or seeking favour.
- Candidates are not allowed to disseminate false information or distribute materials about the electoral procedures of the Central Election Commission to the public or media outlets.
- Candidates must respect the local laws of their respective places of residence. Those candidates based in politically sensitive regions must exercise caution and vigilance. They must comply with guidelines of the Election Commission. In particular, candidates and their supporters must not cause obstructions or hindrance tocampaign events of other candidates.
- As stipulated in Article 24 (7) of the Election Regulations,all provincial or regional associations, religious institutions and NGOs are prohibited from releasing nominations and endorsing candidates for the elections of Sikyong and members of Tibetan Parliament.
- Campaign materials such as announcements, leaflets, and banners for any candidate must clearly display the name and address of the person responsible for printing these materials.
- In accordance with the electoral rules and regulations, no electoral campaign activities are allowedin schools.
- Candidates must remain vigilant against disinformation and rumors on social media platforms etc.
- Candidates must inform the Regional Election Commission forany election campaign activities that they undertake in their respective areas.
- Candidates may carry out campaign activities during both preliminary as well as final elections.However, in accordance with Article 24 (7-b), they shall cease their campaign activities two days prior to the election day until the announcement of the results.
- As specified in Article 16 (5) of the Election Rules and Regulations, disputes related to local election matters must be investigated and resolved by the Regional Election Commission. Therefore, individual candidates or their supporters may approach the Regional Election Commission to resolve disputes, rather than directly approaching the Central Election Commission. However, if anyone is dissatisfied with the judgment of the Regional Election Commission, they can appeal to the Central Election Commission.
- If anyone is found guilty of violating the above-mentioned guidelines, penalties will be imposed in accordance with the severity of the violation as per the provisions of Article 25 of the Election Rules and Regulations.
The candidates of Sikyong and members of 18th Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile can announce their manifesto and runing for Sikyong or MP from October 7, 2025 until January 29, 2026.
