Bhutan tastes democracy

High in the Himalayas, Bhutan has always revelled in its isolation. That is why a somewhat reluctant electorate was apprehensive about what democracy might bring, writes Chris Morris

The day after its first parliamentary election, the world’s newest democracy is already learning that politics can spring a surprise. High in the Himalayas, Bhutan has always revelled in its isolation.
That is why a somewhat reluctant electorate was apprehensive about what democracy might bring. The two political parties ran for power on similar manifestos, utterly loyal to their king.
So the result was rather unexpected: a huge victory for one party - the Bhutan Prosperity Party - winning all but three of the seats in parliament. But do not expect revolutionary change in this traditional Buddhist kingdom.
The transition to democracy has been deliberately designed to be slow and steady. Both the new government and the opposition say they are committed to the king’s own five-year plan, and to the royal philosophy of Gross National Happiness, or GNH.
But what exactly does GNH mean? “It means there has to be a better balance between the spiritual and the material,” said Karma Tsheetem, the Secretary of the Gross National Happiness Commission.
“Whatever choices we make from now on - whether it’s to do with urbanisation or globalisation or the type of economy we develop - we will make sure it is in harmony with our tradition, our culture and the environment.” But GNH or not, some people are not happy.
Tens of thousands of ethnic Nepalese, who used to live in Bhutan, were forced to take refuge in camps in Nepal more than a decade ago. Their status is still in dispute.
We arranged a meeting in Thimpu with an ethnic Nepalese man whose parents are in exile in the camps. That family connection, he said, makes him a second class citizen in Bhutan.
“So many people have problems with the police clearance,” he said, “which is required for things like passports, promotion at work or even opening a small business.” He did not want his name to be used for fear of reprisal.
The Bhutanese authorities deny any discrimination. And in fact, nine ethnic Nepalese have been elected to the new parliament. But the status of an unsettled minority remains an unresolved problem for the new government.
There is no doubt, however, that the election itself was a success. It was well-organised and peaceful. Long lines of patient voters in national dress ensured a turn-out of nearly 80%.
But sometimes there was too much control, and not enough choice - a point made by election observers from the European Union. “We do think that plurality of viewpoints, and giving the voters a genuine choice of alternative ideologies, is important in democracies,” said EU observer Holly Ruthrauff.
“And this is one of the things we will highlight to the Bhutanese authorities, something they might want to work on in the future.” Perhaps the next generation will face more choice, as the political system develops.
But many people remain nervous about entering uncharted political waters. For the moment, the country is already focussing on the next big event in this year of change - the formal coronation of their young king. It is a reminder - if any were needed - that even in these new democratic times, the monarchy will continue to play the central role in Bhutanese life.
The United States has congratulated the people of Bhutan for holding elections to choose their first democratic government. The US state department said the vote marked “another positive step in Bhutan’s transition to a democratic, constitutional monarchy.”
Unofficial results show that the party of the former Prime Minister, Jigme Thinley, won a landslide victory. The move to democratic rule was proposed by Bhutan’s royal family.
A Japanese election observer, Takio Yamada, praised the way the vote had been conducted: “I think this is a success, a great success and great achievement for the Bhutanese people.
“This is a great step forward to achieving real democracy in this country.” Election commissioner Kunzang Wangdi said the Bhutan Harmony Party had won 44 of the 47 seats in the lower house.
A candidate for the winning party, Ugyen Tshering, said the result was positive for everyone: “We have not planned to have any grand celebrations.
“I think this victory is not about celebrating a victory over the other party, but this victory is a victory for the whole country.”
The vote for the National Assembly completes the country’s peaceful transition from an absolute monarchy to a constitutional monarchy. An election for the upper house of parliament, the 25-seat National Council, was held in December.
The tiny Buddhist kingdom has been preparing for democracy since former monarch Jigme Singye Wangchuck decided to hand power to an elected government. The country is now headed by his 28-year-old son, King Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuck, who will remain as head of state and is likely to retain some influence.