By Bhuchung D. Sonam
At a press conference that took exactly twelve minutes, held by the Election Commission of the Exiled-Tibetan Government here today, the two nominees for the post of Kalon Tripa (Prime Minister) was announced. The Chief Election Commissioner Mr. Tashi Phuntsok and the two election commissioners attended the press conference.
While addressing the media, the CEC said that in accordance with article 67, clause 4 of the election rules and regulations which stated that not less than two nominees were to be declared, they are announcing two candidates for the final round of election. The two candidates are Samdhong Tulku Lobsang Tenzin, the current Kalon Tripa, and Juchen Thupten Namgyal, who held the post of chief kalon in the past.
This is the second time that exiled-Tibetans directly vote for Kalon Tripa. The preliminary voting took place on the 18th of March 2006.
The first direct voting for Kalon Tripa took place five years ago, during which Samthong Rinpoche was elected with a huge margin and formed the 12th kashag or the cabinet of the Tibetan Government in Exile.
Samdhong Rinpoche was born in Jol Nag Druk, Kham in Eastern Tibet. Rinpoche held various posts in exile Tibetan community such as the principal of Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies in Sarnath, member of the Constitution Drafting Committee and Chairman of the 11th Assembly of Tibetan people’s Deputies.
Juchen Thupten was born in Derge, Kham in Eastern Tibet. He made his way up from being a head of road building labourers to member of Tibetan People’s Deputy and eventually becoming the chief kalon of the Tibetan Government in Exile, the post which he held for 15 long years.
Like the previous, the second election for Kalon Tripa is bound to be a one-man competition. This can be attributed to the fact that many candidate pulled off the race for reasons unknown. Exit polls clearly indicated Samthong Rinpoche will be reelected. However, some pundits predict that the winning margin will not be as huge as in the previous election.
Juchen Thupten Namgyal, in his paper for filing for the Kalon Tripa, said that he filed his name so that the voting for does not become nullified.
According to the election guideline (article 67, clause 4) the election will be considered null and void if there are less than two candidates for the post for the post of chief kalon.
