By Tenzin Menkyi
DHARAMSHALA, July 15: The Election Commission (EC) of the Tibetan government in exile known officially as the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) today announced a ‘moral’ Code of Conduct decreed for the candidates of upcoming Tibetan Sikyong and Parliamentary elections at Lhakpa Tsering Hall, Gangkyi.
Mr. Sonam Choephel Shosur, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC), CTA, along with Ven.Geshe Tenpa Tashi and Mr. Tenzin Choephel, who were recently appointed as the Additional Election Commissioner by the standing committee of Tibetan parliament made the announcement at a press conference earlier today.
The Code of Conduct encompassing nine clauses and several sub clauses and a set of penalty in case of infringement is to ensure the proper rule of law during election campaigns, said Choephel. “The moral code of conduct pertinent to the candidates of upcoming elections is to ensure proper rule of law. These may not be a heavy penalties however, its valuable enough that breach of the rules may result in loss of their candidacy or in certain case, they may be disqualified from right to vote for about five to ten years.” said CEC to phayul.
The guidelines contain information on the rights and duties of the Tibetan prime ministerial and parliamentary elections’ candidates and their supporters, and the duties of EC and CTA in particular. It further illustrated on their usage of media, caps on election expenditure, disclosure of disbursements or financial transparency and related activities of the candidates.
A short video to educate the public with regard to the upcoming elections and to create general awareness amongst Tibetan voters was also screened.
The dates for the preliminary election for Sikyong of the 15th kashag and members of the 16th Tibetan Parliament is fixed for October 18, 2015. The final election will be held on 20 March 2016. The 2016 general elections will be the 4th direct elections for the Tibetan PM (the head of the CTA-started to be known as Sikyong later). The 16th Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile would be composed of 45 members.
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