By Tenzin Monlam
DHARAMSHALA, MARCH 27: Members of Tibetan parliament in exile today dwelled on issues raised in the recently concluded budget session at a panel discussion initiated by the National Democratic Party of Tibet here.
A panel comprising of five Tibetan Members of Parliament – Thupten Lungrik, Dawa Phunkyi, Ven. Atruk Tsetan, Pema Jungney and¬¬¬¬ Serta Tsultrim – talked about their positions regarding the much debated issues – electoral reform and women empowerment.
In favor of the existing two phase electoral system for the members of Tibetan parliament and the Tibetan prime minister, veteran lawmaker Pema Jungney stated that the prerogative in Tibetan democracy to elect candidates in both rounds are in the hands of Tibetan people unlike the party system democracy. He, however, admitted that the length o duration between two rounds of election is the main reason of concern for all.
Former minister and serving MP, Thupten Lungrik, said that the walkout by the incumbent Kashag (the Cabinet) before the show of hands count after the first round of discussion on the electoral reform was a disrespect to the parliament’s proceedings.
Dawa Phunkyi, also supporting the two-round system, said, “It gives people a second chance to revise their choices if they feel otherwise and also gives an opportunity for those who may have missed the first round.”
However, Serta Tsultrim and Atruk Tsetan countered that the two-round system of Tibetan elections is the main source of fractions within the Tibetan community and that having one round electoral system would eliminate its source before anyone could take advantage of the system to spread their anti social agendas.
Serta Tsultrim highlighted that there was not much change in the candidates between the two rounds in the previous elections. He said, “The immoral behaviors during the 2016 election was not because of our existing system. The problems lie in the conduct of our people which I don’t see improving. Hence we can do it in just one round.”
The panelists however did not dwell much on the issue of women empowerment as most of them cited lack of experience in the field. However, Dawa Phunkyi said that many miss the fine line between women empowerment and women’s rights.
“It is important for us to aware women about empowerment, however, not many women MPs could attend the 1st Women empowerment Conference beside speaking in the parliament. Therefore, we must all take part and work collectively towards it.”
