Around 80,000 Tibetans exercising their franchise in first phase of poll for Tibetan-Government-in-Exile

Dharamshala: The first phase of general election for Sikyong (political leader) and members of the 17th Tibetan Parliament begins today. As many as 79,697 Tibetan voters have registered for the election for the polling in a historic election starting on January 3, 2021. A record number of candidates including a former woman minister are vying for the top political post of the Tibetan polity. Eight candidates are in the fray for the Sikyong’s post. The contenders include the representative of the Dalai Lama in Delhi and former CTA home minister Kasur Dongchung Ngodup; former representative of Dalai Lama to North America Kelsang Dorjee Aukatsang, former speaker of the parliament-in-exile Penpa Tsering and incumbent deputy speaker Acharya Yeshi Phuntosok.

Tibetans are really enthusiastic for these elections as this time there is also an increase in the number of contesting candidates. Eight persons are contesting for Sikyong election whereas over 150 candidates are contesting for MP election.

There are 12 polling stations in and around Dharamshala.

The final election would be held on 11 April 2021.

Speaking to media, the present President of the Tibetan government in exile (Sikyong) Lobsang  Sangay said, "today in spite of the pandemic almost in forty countries Tibetans are taking part in the elections. Young and old all are coming out and participating in the elections so this is a momentous and historical event because even though we are in exile but we are exercising a fundamental right whereby we are walking shoulder to shoulder with other democratic countries around the world and that's a gift his holiness has bestowed on us  it is being preserved maintained and practice by elder generation  and continued to do so by the younger generation by sending a clear message to Beijing that Tibet is under occupation  and but Tibetans in-exile are free and given a chance and opportunity  we prefer democracy over authoritarian system..."

A reliable senior official in the EC confirmed that the North American constituency which comprises of US and Canada have asked for permission to hold early voting due to risks pertaining to the coronavirus. As per the Article 26 (1) of electoral rules and regulations, the regional communities can pre-pone the voting process if the circumstances are deemed necessary.
Important polling stations such as California, New York, Toronto, Belgium, and London are going to begin the voting procedure on 2nd Jan, one day before the scheduled election date.

Lobsang Sangay, a Harvard scholar, completes his second term as President of the CTA this year. The landmark achievement of Sangay's tenure remains the successful passage of the Tibet Policy and Support Act (TPSA) of 2020 in the United States despite China's protest; a decision that strengthened the American policy on Tibet and reaffirmed the government's support for the Dalai Lama and the CTA.

There are around 1.3 lakh Tibetans living in exile in India and across the globe. After  Today’s first round of elections for the Central Tibetan Administration (Tibetan Parliament), The result of the first round will be declared on February 8.

The second and final round is expected to be held on April 11. The Tibetan government-in-exile will elect its head on May 14, 2021.

Out of the total voters, 55,683 are residing in India while the remaining 24,014 are registered from other parts of the globe.
 Due to the prevailing Covid-19 situation, polling stations are being sanitised regularly, voters have to ensure social distancing while casting their votes and wearing masks is mandatory. Votes are being cast through the paper ballot system.

The Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile (TPiE) headquarters is situated in Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh.