Dharamshala — Tibetans living in 27 democratic countries, such as the United States, Canada, Australia and European countries, voted on the same day, February 1, 2026, to elect the Sikyong of the Central Tibetan Administration and the members of the 18th Tibetan Parliament-in-exile.
The Dharamsala Regional Election Commission set up 11 polling stations, including at Tsuglakhang Monastery, T-building (Gangkyi), Upper TCV, Serah College for Higher Tibetan Studies and Norbulingka Institute etc, in the vicinity of Dharamsala. Voters could cast their ballots at any polling station and enthusiastically voted for their preferred candidates, just like citizens of other democratic countries.
Tibetans living in Chinese-occupied Tibet do not have the right or freedom to elect their leaders, as Tibetans living in exile do. The Chinese government denied them their fundamental rights, and they live under constant surveillance and threat. They are even prevented from learning their own language, culture, or religion, or protecting their environment.
A total of 91,042 voters have registered for the 2026 election of the Sikyong and the 18th Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile. This includes 56,749 registrations from India, Nepal and Bhutan, and 34,293 registrations from abroad. The final elections on April 26, 2026, worldwide.
Khenpo Sonam Tenphel, Speaker of the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile, said, "our democracy is unique, that it was given to us by His Holiness the Dalai Lama, and therefore it is important to assume our responsibilities, participate in elections, and vote for the leaders of the Central Tibetan Administration. Elected leaders must also consider that they have been elected to serve the people and assume greater responsibilities in order to work for the welfare of the people and for the cause of Tibet."
A Tibetan voter said, "it was our responsibility to participate in the democratic process and it was our right and opportunity to vote for our own leaders. They are the ones who came forward and committed themselves to working for the welfare of the Tibetan people and the freedom of Tibet. I hope that we can elect capable leaders who can unite the Tibetan people in exile and represent Tibetans inside Tibet."
