Incumbents lost in Bhutan election

The usual trend of wiping out the incumbent continues to rule the Bhutanese election outcome, with latest result from three major municipalities were declared.

The elections in three cities – Thimphu, Gelephu and Phuentsholing, were held on Wednesday (28 April) as part of the local government elections, scheduled for this year.

In all three cities, the incumbent mayoral candidates lost their race. 

Residents of Thimphu chose a new mayor – Ugyen Dorji. Securing 1,776 votes, he beat the Kinlay Dorjee who served two consecutive terms. Kinlay Dorjee secured 1,714 votes and Sonam Dorji secured 920. Ugyen Dorji served as deputy chief urban planner with the Thimphu municipality prior to contesting the election.

The southern city Gelephu chose Tshering Norbu over the incumbent Tikaram Kafley. Norbu received 713 votes while Kafley managed 375 votes.

In Phuentsholing Uttar Kumar Rai won the race. Rai was the current mayor of the city. He was the lone candidate in 2016 elections. He secured 336 votes defeating three other candidates to win this year.

The voter turnout was very poor, but slight improvement from the previous turnout.