The triangular contest for the seat of the electorate of Australasia and Asia in 17th Tibetan Parliament Election

Tibetans in exile scattered in around more than 25 countries will go for election end of this year for President and Parliament. While in the primary people would nominate candidate for both, they will end up voting in the final round should no president wins more than 60% of the vote. However, Parliament election will go on as usual.

So far three aspirants have officially and publicly declared their candidacy to run in the primary election for Chithue (Parliament) to the electorate of Australasia and Asia (excluding India, Nepal and Bhutan) in the upcoming election for 17^th Tibetan Parliament in Exile. Though other aspirants are likely to appear in public, some are making rounds of campaigns behind scenes.

The three aspirants who have publicly declared their candidacy include DoringTenzin Phuntsok from Queensland, Tenzin Lobsang Khangsar and Thupten Dhondup both from Victoria. Interestingly, two of the candidates are alumina of Madras Christian College in Chennai. All the three candidates have been presidents of their respective Tibetan community organisation. While Doring and Khangsar are running for the first time from the electorate, Thupten is running for the second time as he had seconded in the last election after conceding to Kyizon Dhongdue.

The declaration of Kyizom Dhongdue who ruled out of seeking second term paved the way for an open competition between the three. All the three candidates have spoken to Tibetan radio service of SBS expressing their desire to run and making policies and plans vivid much to the delight of the voters who are facing a new face like 2016.  All the three candidates are activist who had served in their communities.

Article 37 (5) of Tibetan Charter in exile provides for a single constituency seat for the Tibetans residing in Australasia and Asia (excluding India, Nepal and Bhutan). The seat was introduced in the 15^th Tibetan Parliament in 2015 ahead of the election for 16^th Tibetan Parliament. Apart from Australia and New Zealand, the electorate represents South East Asia including Japan, Taiwan, Russia, Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, Philippine, Malaysia as well.

Unlike India, Nepal and Bhutan, the parliamentary seat from the electorate of Australasia and Asia has a single seat without provincial and sectarian representation. Tibetans in the electorate are to elect a candidate that represents the electorate without bothering which province or sectarian the candidate belongs to. While Tibetans await date for primary election, voting registration has already begun and aspirants have already stood up even before the primary date for election. Lets wait for primary election date.