Bhutan gears up for historic general election (Channel NewsAsia)
THIMPHU, Bhutan : Bhutan plans to seal off its borden with northern India this weekend as a precaution ahead of Monday’s historic general election.

Excitement, anxiety as Bhutan prepares for first big polls (Channel NewsAsia)
THIMPHU: As the tiny Himalayan state of Bhutan readies for its first major polls next week, many people are still apprehensive of the changes that the country’s shift to democracy will bring.

Tears, prayers as Bhutan’s Tibet refugees watch helplessly (Gulf Times)
THIMPHU: Tibetan refugees living in Bhutan say they are watching the upheaval in their Himalayan homeland nervously but are fearful of speaking out.

The Future Bhutan (Sin Chew Jit Poh)
QUEUE FOR YOUR RIGHTS: Bhutanese people show their documents as they line up outside a polling station during the final round of mock voting. FATHER AND SON: Jigme Singye Wangchuck (R), former king of Bhutan, his son, Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuck (L), the new king.

King drags Bhutan into democracy and first elections (Boston Globe)
The tiny and deeply traditional Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan takes a slightly nervous step into the modern world on Monday when it holds the first parliamentary elections in its history.

Bhutanese apprehensive about democracy (IANS via Yahoo! India News)
Gelephu (Southern Bhutan), March 21 (IANS) Ahead of a historic election Monday that will end 100 years of monarchy, the people of Bhutan appear to be apprehensive about their future under parliamentary democracy.

Films series shows Bhutan (Honolulu Star-Bulletin)
In conjunction with its popular exhibit, “The Dragon’s Gift: The Sacred Arts of Bhutan,” the Honolulu Academy of Arts will screen eight films made in Bhutan. Only one has ever been shown outside the country.

Democracy by royal decree in Bhutan (Los Angeles Times)
The tiny Himalayan kingdom moves, albeit reluctantly, toward people power under monarch Jigme Singye Wangchuck, who prefers evolution rather than revolution. In this idyllic Himalayan country that measures progress by its “gross national happiness” index, the stoplight just didn’t cut it.

Bhutanese apprehensive about democracy (New Kerala)
By Syed Zarir Hussain, Gelephu (Southern Bhutan), March 21 : Ahead of a historic election Monday that will end 100 years of monarchy, the people of Bhutan appear to be apprehensive about their future under parliamentary democracy.

King drags Bhutan into democracy (TVNZ)
The tiny and deeply traditional Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan takes a slightly nervous step into the modern world when it holds the first parliamentary elections in its history.

Khandu and Kaka in a keen contest

NA ELECTIONS - PARO 20 March, 2008 -
Two months ago, word in Paro valley was that former minister DPT’s Khandu Wangchuk was on his way to a probable defeat at the hands of PDP’s Kaka Tshering.

Candidates equally upbeat about outcome

PDP’s Mingbo Dukpa and DPT’s Ugyen Dorji: Both buoyed by home-base support

NA ELECTIONS - SAMDRUP JONGKHAR 20 March, 2008 -
With just five days to the general election, the race between the two candidates of Dewathang-Gomdar constituency in Samdrup Jongkhar is reaching fever pitch.

Urban - rural divide

PDP’s Jigme Cholen and DPT’s Lhatu return to their roots

NA ELECTIONS - TRASHIGANG 20 March, 2008 -

The race is between a farmer’s son and the son of a prominent religious figure in the community.

They grew up, surrounded by farmers and villagers in Wamrong, Trashigang. They began their schooling in the same school in the community and later pursued higher studies in Sherubtse College, Kanglung. Hunting for a suitable career, they left for Thimphu and their paths never crossed.

Close contest on the cards in Athang-Thedtsho

DPT’s Passang Thrinlee (front row) with his supporters andPDP’s Tandin Wangchuk at a campaign meeting

NA ELECTIONS - WANGDUEPHODRANG 20 March, 2008 -
With less than a week left for poll day, the two candidates contesting the Athang-Thedtso constituency in Wangdue Phodrang are leaving no stone unturned to make it to parliament.

Dungsum cement and Dagachu hydropower come under DHI’s wings
20 March, 2008 - The Druk Holding and Investment, a government holding company formed in November last year, has taken over the implementation of the Dungsam cement project in Nganglam and the Dagachhu hydropower project in Dagana, which together are estimated to cost Nu 14,000 million.

Mr Nice Guy for North Thimphu

DPT’s Ugyen Tshering and PDP’s Dr Tobgyal Wangchhuk on a charm offensive

NA ELECTIONS - THIMPHU 19 March, 2008 - The candidates of North Thimphu constituency, Ugyen Tshering and Dr Tobgyal Wangchhuk, don’t seem to believe in the saying: ‘nice guys, finish last’.

The return of the prodigal sons

PDP’s Sangay Dorji and DPT’s Dorji Wangdi do their things on the hustings

NA ELECTIONS - ZHEMGANG 19 March, 2008 - Panbang has produced many civil servants but few come home. Perhaps it has to do with its inaccessibility - only 63 of the 1,104 households have access to roads - and the incidence of poverty is about 53.9 percent.

Don’t the candidates count?

PDP’s Namgay and DPT’s Dr Pema Jamtsho meet the folks who’ll decide their fate

NA ELECTIONS - BUMTHANG 19 March, 2008 - Wearing a blue cap with a logo of a white horse Namgay Drukpa, 55, the People’s Democratic Party candidate for the Tang-Chokhor constituency gets into his gray Maruti van and heads towards the scattered settlement of Pangrey and Dorjibi villages.

‘Late-comer’ takes on ‘senior player’ in Gelephu

DPT’s Prem Kumar Gurung and PDP’s Tshering Dolkar share a moment together

NA ELECTIONS - SARPANG 19 March, 2008 - For the black-necked cranes, it’s the final campaign, for the white horse, it’s the first.

PDP’s Tshering Dolkar, ‘the late comer’ and DPT’s Prem Kumar Gurung, ‘the senior player’, are both happily and strongly campaigning to make best of the last few days left.

Rooting as per roots

DPT’s Karma Rangdol and PDP’s Sonam Jatsho communicating with the Kurtoeps

NA ELECTIONS - LHUENTSE
19 March, 2008 - As poll day draws near a sizeable number of rural voters across the country are not sure whom to cast their votes for. The choice becomes difficult when the contesting candidates are equally popular and well known.

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