Dharamsala, June 24 – As the five-year term of the present Assembly of Tibetan People’s Deputies (ATPD), the highest legislative organ of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA), expires next year, the preliminary elections of the 14th ATPD may be held this September, says Tashi Phuntsok, chief election commissioner of the Tibetan Election Commission.
The Election Commission, an independent office that oversees the election of Kalon Tripa, members of the ATPD, head of the settlements, et al, earlier issued directives to the 57 Local Election Commissions, located in India, Nepal, Bhutan, Europe, North America, Taiwan, Japan, Africa and Australia, to update their registration of voters.
The election of the Kalon Tripa, as the five-year term of the incumbent also expires next year, will also be conducted in tandem with the members of the ATPD.
Every Tibetan who has reached 18 years of age on or before 28 February 2006 is entitled to vote in these elections.
Earlier this month, His Holiness the Dalai Lama appointed two additional election commissioners, Tenzin Dhargay and Trika Khenrab, as provided in the Charter of the Tibetans in Exile at times of the election of Kalon Tripa and members of the ATPD.
“Although the primaries of the Kalon Tripa and the ATPD will be held separately, we are planning to conduct the final round of both these elections simultaneously sometime around March next year,” adds Mr. Phuntsok, who is also the chairman of the Tibetan Public Service Commission which is responsible for the recruitment and appointment all the CTA staff.
“The commission will soon finalise and announce a detailed programme.”
