Dharamshala — Tibetans residing in 27 democratic countries worldwide, including the United States, Canada, Australia, and various European nations, participated in the election of the 18th Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile on April 26, 2026. Chief of the Election Commission said that Tibetan elections demonstrate that our Tibetan freedom movement is continuing and rejects the CCP’s illegal occupation of Tibet.
The Dharamshala Regional Election Commission set up 11 polling stations, including at Tsuglakhang Monastery, Gangkyi, Upper TCV, Serah College for Higher Tibetan Studies and Norbulingka Institute etc, in the vicinity of Dharamshala. Voters could cast their ballots at any polling station and enthusiastically voted for their preferred candidates, just like citizens of other democratic countries.
Tibetans in Dharamsala exercised their right to vote for their representatives from Tibet's three provinces: U-Tsang, Kham and Amdo.
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.
Lobsang Yeshe, Chief of the Election Commission of Central Tibetan Administration said, "Today's election is very important, as the MPs of the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile play a key role in our Tibetan freedom movement as lawmakers. The administration established by His Holiness the Dalai Lama is crucial, so I urge all Tibetans to exercise their right and responsibility to vote in the final MP election.”
He added by saing, “After the primary election, the Chinese Communist government distorted our democratic system and elections. However, they have no right or power to influence Tibetan exile elections. They don't hold fair and free elections in China, we Tibetans in exile continue to do so, and the Central Tibetan Administration is recognised as the representative body for all Tibetans.”
“The CCP not only illegally occupied Tibet, but also claims to speak on behalf of Tibetans, asserting that Tibetans in Tibet are “happy and well-developed”, the reality is opposite. Recently, they said that the Tibetan election is ‘illegal’; this is totally sarcastic, if they have the courage, then grant Tibetans in Tibet the right to vote, but they don't dare do so. Our exile elections demonstrate that our Tibetan freedom movement is continuing and rejects the CCP’s illegal occupation of Tibet.
