EC declares electoral schedule for 2021 general elections

By Choekyi Lhamo

DHARAMSHALA, Sept 28: The Election Commission (EC) of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA), or also known as the Tibetan exile government declared the electoral calendar for 2021 Sikyong (Presidential) and Chitue (MPs) elections for the 17^th Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile (TPiE) on Monday. The Chief Election commissioner Wangdu Tsering Pesur addressed the press along with the attendance of the additional commissioners, Geshema Delek Wangmo and Sonam Gyaltsen.

The preliminary election for Sikyong and MPs is scheduled for Jan 3, 2021 and the final election is to be held on Apr 11, 2021 as per the Charter of Tibetans-in-exile and according to the electoral rules and regulations.

The statement also announced the latest guidelines for shortlisting candidates for the final election, “As per the Article 67 (4) of the electoral rules and regulation, the election commission should shortlist not less than two candidates for Sikyong in the final election after due examination of their preliminary results, green book dues and the withdrawal of candidature if any.” 

EC commissioner clarified that if two candidates acquire equal second-highest votes in the preliminary round, then three candidates will be shortlisted for the final election. If two candidates acquire equal highest-votes in the first round, then the two candidates will be shortlisted for the final election race.

The commissioner informed that the office has already received 36,367 voter registrations from 30 different places since Sep 1. The registration timeline will be closed on Oct 15. He urged the Tibetan community to participate in the general election as he stressed on the importance of the upcoming voting process as being crucial to the Tibetan movement. 2021 elections will determine the fifth Sikyong (earlier Kalon Tripa) and the members of parliament for the 17th TPiE.