Info
Parties and Candidates
PC001
Registration requirements for parties (Chamber 1)
Question: What are the registration requirements for political parties running for national elections (Chamber 1)?
Answer(s):
f . Other
Comments: Article 131: A party of individual citizens of Bhutan calling itself a political party and intending to contest elections under this Act shall submit its application to the Election Commission for its registration as a political party for the
purposes of this Act.
Article 135: An application for registration shall contain: (a) The name of the party and the list of its members; (b) The name and pictorial design of the election symbol which it proposes to register; (c) The Dzongkhag in which its head office is situated; (d) The address to which its letters and other communications are to be sent; (e) The names and addresses of its President, Secretary, Treasurer and other office-bearers; (f) Whether it has any local units, if so, at what levels; and (g) A copy of the Charter of the Party.
Source: Election Act of the Kingdom of Bhutan, Chapter 8, Article 131-136: https://www.ecb.bt/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/ElectionActEnglish.pdf
Verified: 2024/08/27
PC003
Registration requirements for candidates (Chamber 1)
Question: What are the legal qualifications to become a candidate at legislative elections (Chamber 1)?
Answer(s):
a . Age b . Citizenship f . Registration h . Minimum level of education
Comments: A candidate for an elective office under this Constitution shall:
Be a Bhutanese citizen;
Be registered voter of that constituency;
Be a minimum of twenty-five years and maximum of sixty-five years of age at the time of filing the nomination;
Not receive money or any assistance from foreign sources, be it governmental, nongovernmental, private organizations or from private parties or individuals; and
Fulfil the necessary educational and other qualifications prescribed in the Electoral Laws.
Source: Election Act of the Kingdom of Bhutan, Chapter 10, Article 175-178: https://www.ecb.bt/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/ElectionActEnglish.pdf
Constitution of Bhutan (2008), Article 23 (3): https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/Bhutan_2008
Verified: 2024/08/27
PC008
Independent candidates
Question: Can independent candidates compete in presidential or legislative elections?
Answer(s):
d . In legislative elections (Chamber 2)
Comments: A candidate to or a member of the National Council shall not belong to any political party.
Source: Constitution of Bhutan, Article 11 (3): https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/Bhutan_2008
Election Act of the Kingdom of Bhutan, Chapter 10: https://www.ecb.bt/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/ElectionActEnglish.pdf
Verified: 2024/08/27
PC012
Public funding of parties
Question: Do political parties receive direct/indirect public funding?
Answer(s):
b . Direct
Comments: Parliament shall, by law, establish a Public Election Fund into which shall be paid every year such amounts as the Election Commission may consider appropriate to fund registered political parties and their candidates during elections to the
National Assembly and candidates to the National Council.
Source: Constitution of Bhutan, Article 16: https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/Bhutan_2008
Public Election Fund Rules and Regulations of the Kingdom of Bhutan, 2018, Articles 7.1: https://www.ecb.bt/Rules/fund.pdf
Verified: 2024/08/27
PC015
Question: What is the basis of the public funding?
Answer(s):
a . Equal funding, regardless of size and previous performance e . Other
Comments: The Election Commission shall make the payment out of the Public Election Fund in a non-discriminatory manner to the registered political parties and candidates in accordance with law made by Parliament.
All Political Parties and Candidates shall apply for Fund in the prescribed Application Forms.
Source: Election Act of the Kingdom of Bhutan, Chapter 15, Article 278: https://www.ecb.bt/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/ElectionActEnglish.pdf
Public Election Fund Rules and Regulations of the Kingdom of Bhutan, 2018, Articles 7.1: https://www.ecb.bt/Rules/fund.pdf
Verified: 2024/08/27
PC017
Question: Are political parties entitled to private funding?
Answer:
a . Yes
Comments: The Election Commission shall fix a ceiling for contribution offered voluntarily by any of its registered members to a political party subject to the provisions of the Election Fund Act. Provided that all such contributions shall be made
voluntarily and must not be given to receive any favours, political or otherwise and provided further that all such
contributions shall be made by cheques and must be declared before the Commission.
Source: Election Act of the Kingdom of Bhutan, Chapter 15, Article 280: https://www.ecb.bt/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/ElectionActEnglish.pdf
Verified: 2024/08/27
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