Editorial
Positive changes in Bhutan
Our felicitations go out to its people
Bhutan has lately been making history. When its people went to the polls the other day to elect a national council, it was a sign of how meaningfully the kingdom means to align itself with the rest of the world and carve a new niche for itself in the global community. Indeed, it is to the credit of the former king, Jigme Singye Wangchuk, that Bhutan's people find themselves on the threshold of a new era. Without any prompting and absolutely on his own, he sent out the message that Bhutan needed to change. And change was to come through people being given the right to vote for their representatives in the national council as well as the national assembly. Moreover, by abdicating in favour of his son, Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuk, the king established a rare precedent of a monarch voluntarily walking away from power and glory.
As we understand, polling has been held in fifteen districts of the country. For now, fifteen of the twenty five members of the national council will be elected, with another five to be elected later this month. The monarch of course has the power to nominate the remaining five to the council. It is also encouraging that Bhutanese will elect a 75-member national assembly, so long a nominated body, in February or March this year. All these steps being taken by the authorities to transform the country from an absolute monarchy to a constitutional one will certainly have a positive bearing on the future of the country.
We offer our felicitations to the government and people of Bhutan on such a historic step. As a neighbour and member of the SAARC community, Bhutan has always had a special place in our thoughts and priorities. We welcome the kingdom's entry into the councils of democratic governance.
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