By Tenzin Monlam
DHARAMSHALA, June 22: In the wake of concerns surrounding the dip in the moral standards of the Tibetan polity during the 2016 Sikyong election, the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) has formed a new committee to initiate reforms in Tibetan electoral rules and regulations.
According to resolution passed during the first session of the 16th Tibetan Parliament in Exile (TPiE), a committee headed by Finance Minister Karma Yeshi, three MPs – Pema Jungney, Ven Monalm Tharchin and Gyarik Thar and the Chief Election Commissioner Sonam Choephel Shosur would be responsible for bringing the reforms needed for future elections.
According to a source, the electoral reform committee would be filing a draft report to the Parliamentary Secretariat by March 2017 during the third session of the current parliament. The report would also include suggestions on procedure of filing nominations for Prime Minister and Member of Parliament.
The source also added the committee would heed suggestions, via letters and mails from public while drafting the report.
During the swearing-in ceremony on May 27 His Holiness the Dalai Lama reiterated his disappointment over the developments that occurred in the run up to the elections in what he called a ‘dip in the moral standards’.
Sikyong Dr. Lobsang Sangay in his statement vowed to strengthen efforts in amending electoral rules and regulations, which came under severe criticism.
The committee responsible for electoral reforms met with the Speaker Khenpo Sonam Tenphel and Deputy Speaker Acharya Yeshi Phuntsok on June 20 to seek its guidance and recommendations.
The Tibetan Parliament unanimously passed a resolution during its first session which saw the appointment of the Tibetan cabinet.
