Tsering Dhundup
DHARAMSHALA, Sept. 18: The Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile elected two seasoned Tibetan women leaders as Additional Election Commissioners ahead of the 2026 general elections on Friday during the last day of the parliamentary session.
Former parliamentarian Tsering Youdon was elected as one of the two additional commissioners, securing 30 votes against 11 for her opponent, Karma Lekshay. Alongside her, former civil servant Nangsa Choedon was elected as the second additional commissioner, winning 32 votes against Dr. Kunchok Tsundue, who received 11 votes.
The elections of the two Additional Commissioners fulfil the requirements under Article 97(3)(5) of the Charter of Tibetans-in-Exile and Article 2 of the Election Rules and Regulations, which mandate that two additional commissioners serve alongside the Chief Election Commissioner during the Sikyong and parliamentary elections. Their tenure will begin on October 1, 2025, officially marking the start of the electoral process.
Tsering Youdon has a long record of public service and grassroots leadership. From 1983 to 1991, she worked with MYRADA, an NGO, in roles ranging from secretary to donor relations. Engaging in local governance, she served multiple terms on the Local Election Committee, chaired the local Tibetan women’s Association and parents’ associations. In 2005, she was elected chairperson of the Hunsur Rabgyeling Nyamdel through public voting. She went on to represent the Domey province in the 14th and 15th Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile.
Nangsa Choedon brings decades of administrative experience within the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA). She held senior posts as Secretary of the Public Service Commission, Secretary for Education and Health, and Kalon (Minister) for the Department of Health. She also served as a representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama in South Africa in 2014 and earlier directed the Tibetan Nuns Project. Her extensive career in service, education, and health makes her one of the most experienced administrators in the exile government.
In a press release issued last month, the Election Commission clarified its mandate as speculation around the upcoming elections grew. It emphasised that the electoral process would officially commence with the assumption of office by the two Additional Commissioners on October 1, 2025.
Following their oath, the Commission, comprising the Chief Election Commissioner and the two Additional Commissioners will announce the schedule for the preliminary and final elections and undertake visits to Tibetan communities worldwide to raise awareness of election rules and regulations.
The Election Commission also urged the Tibetan public “to remain vigilant and not be misled by rumours and misinformation circulating in society about the election.” Last year, during the 8th session of the Parliament, Lobsang Yeshi, a two-time parliamentarian and former Vice President of the Tibetan Youth Congress, was elected as Chief Election Commissioner.
