BHUTAN:Without revolution or bloodshed, the tiny Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan became the world's newest democracy on Monday, as wildflower farmers, traditional healers, Buddhist folk artists and computer engineers voted in their country's first parliamentary elections, ending a century of royal rule, writes Emily Walshin Tokhtoka.
Voters handed the Druk Phuensum Tshogpa (DPT) party a landslide victory, with its candidates winning 44 of the 47 seats in the national assembly.
Despite concerns that Bhutanese citizens would be turned off by the rough-and-tumble world of politics, more than 79 per cent of the estimated 318,000 registered voters turned out at polling places.
It was the king, as well as his father and predecessor, who ordered the subjects to vote, in the belief that democracy would foster stability in a geographically vulnerable country wedged between China and India and known as the "Land of the Thunder Dragon".
Analysts said that the DPT benefited from the fact that five of its members had previously served as government ministers in the royal administration. The People's Democratic Party, or PDP, won only three seats.
"We are in total amazement," said Palden Tshering, spokesman for the DPT. "I think what happened was that they looked at the two parties and figured out that our party was one that could possibly give us a government that was envisioned by his majesty."
Before abdicating the throne to his son in 2006, the country's fourth king, Jigme Singye Wangchuck, had taken methodical steps to give power to the people, saying that he believed no leader should be "chosen by birth instead of merit".
As part of his "Gross National Happiness" plan, he reformed the country's feudal system, giving land and jobs to the poorest farmers and launching a free health and education system.
He and his Harvard- and Oxford-educated son, King Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuck, remain immensely popular. Many Bhutanese still refer to both father and son as "his majesty."
The country is now likely to be headed by the DPT president Jigmi Thinley, one of the architects of the "Gross National Happiness" development philosophy of grassroots health, education and environmental programmes. Both parties said they would work to bridge the gaps between them.
"We will set aside our differences and reconcile; that is what's most important. His majesty has given us a precious gift," said Sangay Ngedup, president of the PDP, whose four sisters are married to the fourth king.
Mr Ngedup lost his race for an assembly seat, a sign that many voters were unhappy with his political record, despite his family ties to the monarchy.
The fifth king (28) will remain as commander-in-chief of the army and will be able appoint five members in the upper house of parliament.
Many Bhutanese said they hope his opinions will continue to hold enormous weight. Even as they voted, some wore pins with the young king's face and said they will always feel loyal to the monarchy. "We do things a little differently here. We will never fall out of love with his majesty," said Sonam Peldam (29) who works for the national airline, referring to the fourth king. "We hope the king's legacy will help keep our new leaders honest."
Almost all shops were closed and padlocked for the day because of the election. Signs said "gone to vote."
From the start, the elections were highly managed. Candidates were required to have at least a bachelor's degree to run in a country where fewer than 5 per cent hold such a qualification.There were mock elections last year to help voters get a feel for the process.
Bhutanese journalists were trained this year on how to cover campaigning. Instead of holding formal rallies, candidates went door-to-door, campaigning over cups of traditional butter tea and fresh walnuts.
"There has been no precedent for anything like this in Bhutan," said Mr Tshering.
"We are all taking baby steps. But it's also really a wonderful moment in our nation," he said. - (LA Times/Washington Post service)