Dharamsala, November 17 – The two leading candidates of the preliminary elections of Kalon Tripa (Prime Minister) have declared their candidacy for the final elections to be held on March 20 next year.
“When the Election Commission asks me to confirm my candidacy, I will accept,” said Tenzin Namgyal Tethong, former Kalon Tripa who trailed the leading candidate Lobsang Sangay, a senior research fellow at the Harvard school of law, by more than 10000 votes.
“With profound humility I accept the Tibetan people’s nomination for Kalon Tripa candidate,” wrote Lobsang on a website run by his supporters.
Lobsang thanked his supporters saying the overwhelming support and trust has humbled and inspired him. “…I am determined to maintain your faith in me. I extend my deep appreciation to the other dedicated and deserving candidates.”
Lobsang hailed the Tibetan voters getting a close look at the candidates and becoming actively involved in the electoral process. “All this is unprecedented and historic. It means that His Holiness’ vision of a fully functional Tibetan democracy, which China sees as a real threat and seeks to undermine, is now being realized,” said Lobsang.
Tenzin also expressed his gratitude to his supporters at the special event organized by “San Francisco Friends of Tenzin Namgyal Tethong” and “Standup4Tibet” in Berkeley, California, last week after the prelim results were announced.
Tenzin said the results of the preliminary elections “confirmed the wide public support to his nomination which was made by several important Tibetan organizations and groups as well as many individuals who expressed strong support for his candidacy.” I was highly encouraged by the results of the preliminary round, added Tenzin.
Meanwhile, supporters of Tenzin believe that their candidate has not done enough campaign which led to many people not knowing “his rich background of public service and of his many important accomplishments.”
“Kasur Tethong has a distinguished record of service from a very young age and he has successfully launched many key Tibetan initiatives such as Sheja Magazine, the Tibetan Youth Congress, The Tibet Fund, International Campaign for Tibet, Fulbright Scholarship for Tibetan students, Voice of America’s Tibetan Section, 1000 Tibetan resettlement project to USA and The Dalai Lama Foundation. As the Representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama he organized the first visit of His Holiness to the United States and Canada, and also served as an elected Kalon for five years with distinction,” San Francisco Friends of Tenzin Namgyal Tethong said in a statement.
The Tibetan election commission, as per the electoral rules, has shortlisted a total of top six candidates for the final round of Kalon Tripa election due to be held on March 20, 2011.
The Election Commission will seek confirmation of contesting the final elections from the six shortlisted candidates and it will be a contest among them. Repeated calls to the Election Commission went unanswered as Phayul tried to find out who among the six have officially confirmed their candidacy so far.
The election commission also announced fresh registration dates from November 30, 2010 to January 17, 2011 for eligible voters who have missed the preliminary rounds of elections.
