Bhutan Votes !

I write with no individual,  organization and/or political party in mind. It is about the issues that are of extreme importance for the nation.  If you think  the issue relate to an individual/organization/party, it is because no issue exists in isolation. And, my conscience does not permit me stooping low to target anyone.

First, let us look at the political democracy. After technical success of National Council (NC) election, we are in the midst for selecting National Assembly members: members of parliament (MPs). With four political parties in the run, primary round (on 31 May 2013) will select the winner and a runner-up parties, who will go for general election (13 July 2013). The party candidates have been introducing themselves, party presidents , party ideologies/manifestos, their plans/programs and/or “khicheri” (hotchpotch) of everything at high-school-level deliberations, as far as substance is concerned, in Dzongkha. The presentations by southern and eastern candidates are entertaining and humorous. I am not saying… those smart villagers with Dzongkha as their mother tongue are. They even have compiled few pieces for their comical amusement I was told.

So, the campaign continues with normal political bickering and the candidates’ own perception of why they/their parties are best suited to represent the constituencies. Mostly they think they can resort to seduction of societies, and live life on their own terms once His Majesty bestows dhar on them. In my humble view dhar representing delegation of power and authority is a dated interpretation.  His Majesty’s address on 25 May 2013 to the newly elected NC members emphasized on importance of shouldering genkha (duties and responsibilities); serving  to achieve the national goal to fulfill the aspiration of the people; upholding democratic values including rule of law, good governance and equitable prosperity; maintaining tranquility and safeguarding security of the nation.  It would really make a difference if the NC members (and MPs later) deeply understood the difference!

So NC members and MPs need to show complete commitment to living a life that is true and honest and authentic to themselves. People bowing and begging for kidu (favour) to their own elected representatives is not democratically authentic. They should not underestimate the power of authenticity and also the power of word of mouth.

The primary round result will be party-based and decided on overall national electoral votes. I am not sure if the logic of identifying the candidates before the primary round while the vote buttons are to be pressed against bird/horse/flower/duck will give clear idea of primary round democratic selection process. If the purpose of party-based primary round is aimed at selecting a political party best suited to serve the King, country and the people; the people are likely to cast their primary round vote mostly keeping in mind which candidate should get through to general election. And so, is the environment leveled for four parties to compete for party-based national electoral votes? I am not sure!

If primary round performance of a party (essentially candidate because candidates have been going around blowing their own trumpets) in a constituency is poor fourth position but party is voted top two nationally,  the party (and the candidate) is through to general election. I am not convinced if it is democratic.

Second, frankly I have had no time (and patience) to sit and listened to all parties and candidates. I heard nothing, absolutely nothing, about where we are and where we are going. Have they told us anything on the following?

(i)                    What policies,  strategies, plans and programs they will pursue to enable the people of the country to enhance their capacity to earn;

(ii)                  How will they ease rupee crunch and what specific plans and programs they will pursue for it? What is the time frame?;

(iii)                 How they will deal with the mounting debt, and what is the economic model;

(iv)                 Is the current open-ended development investment model  (hydropower projects, domestic airports, feeder roads, IT park, Supreme court buildings, education city etc.) appropriate for the country?  If not, what is the appropriate model?

(v)                  How they will mobilize resources to meet their pledges (bulldozer for every gewog, Phuentsholing-Thimphu railway, Phuentsholing-Samdrupjongkhar railway, encouraging foreign direct investments (FDIs) and unending lists)?

(vi)                 What is their financial forecast for next five years, and  standby plan if there is hard landing of economy?

It is worth asking hard questions if your NCs and MPs have to be authentic to themselves first and to you next, so that His Majesty’s words of shouldering genkha (duties and responsibilities); serving  to achieve the national goal to fulfill the aspiration of the people; upholding democratic values including rule of law, good governance and  equitable prosperity; maintaining tranquility and safeguarding security of the nation reverberate next five years into their ears!

Third, on the political commitment, the ruling party candidates seem more relaxed on assumption that they will ride on the party's shoulder to general election. I saw neither deep commitment taking into account their past experience nor in-depth understanding of the trend set with NC election. People say power is intoxicating. I do not know. I have never been in the position. The other three are more on "enemy's enemy is a friend" pitch. When 47 is just a number, why worry front-footing three times over. There we go, the 2013 general election with results that will not really shock anyone this time!