As Bhutan embarked on democracy in 2008, the country's entire machinery including civil servants, police and armed forces were mobilised for several months in preparation for and execution of elections. There were electorate education drives reached out to every nook and corner of the country. This was followed by mock elections running into several weeks. All in all it was an unprecedented event for Bhutan and the Bhutanese. By the time two elections were completed in April of 2008, tens of millions of hard earned and hard borrowed money was spent. Many people even were quietly opposing such expensive elections. It was logical to think - perhaps this money could have been easily invested for much needed road and bridges that are crucial for the development and the welfare of the country. After all the governance, in whatever form, is all about the welfare of the citizens.
I have absolutely no intention to oppose democracy nor I would make fuss about a reasonable expenditure made for the process of election to ensure informed, free and fair election for a truly vibrant democracy. It is only under democratic conditions that every citizen can rightfully demand services from the elected government for better livelihood and aspire for higher goals. However the first election in Bhutan was definitely superfluous, unsustainable and beyond the means of the Bhutanese, however it was managed. In any case,even after so many expensive awareness campaigns, many voters in 2008 elections reportedly pressed unintended buttons!
We are just about one year away from second election. I would like to suggest to EC to do some soul searching (they could be already doing!), do cost-benefit analysis and set new standards for all concerned to control extravagant expenditures.
Some of the cost saving activities could be:
1. Let the Election Officers in the Dzongkhag be the election head and do not appoint another official except where there are more than two constituencies.
2.Completely do away with national observers. They are ceremonial figures and add no value to the process. Instead empower the local authority for monitoring the proper election process in each constituency with no additional allowance unless for travel, which will be very minimal.
3. Do not depute too many officials for the process at the voting centers particularly where the voters are few. In most centers one person can manage most activities, viz, checking the list, marking the fingers and also can monitor the buzzer. Two people are more than adequate in most of our voting centers.
4. Why security in non-border areas? If at all needed keep very minimum.
5. There is no big urgency to announce the results on the same day. Take your time and use the resources in the constituencies optimally.
Hope we can have a successful second election at a 50% less cost than the 1st one. After all there would not be elaborate electorate education nor a mock election prior to the second parliamentary election!!
I have absolutely no intention to oppose democracy nor I would make fuss about a reasonable expenditure made for the process of election to ensure informed, free and fair election for a truly vibrant democracy. It is only under democratic conditions that every citizen can rightfully demand services from the elected government for better livelihood and aspire for higher goals. However the first election in Bhutan was definitely superfluous, unsustainable and beyond the means of the Bhutanese, however it was managed. In any case,even after so many expensive awareness campaigns, many voters in 2008 elections reportedly pressed unintended buttons!
We are just about one year away from second election. I would like to suggest to EC to do some soul searching (they could be already doing!), do cost-benefit analysis and set new standards for all concerned to control extravagant expenditures.
Some of the cost saving activities could be:
1. Let the Election Officers in the Dzongkhag be the election head and do not appoint another official except where there are more than two constituencies.
2.Completely do away with national observers. They are ceremonial figures and add no value to the process. Instead empower the local authority for monitoring the proper election process in each constituency with no additional allowance unless for travel, which will be very minimal.
3. Do not depute too many officials for the process at the voting centers particularly where the voters are few. In most centers one person can manage most activities, viz, checking the list, marking the fingers and also can monitor the buzzer. Two people are more than adequate in most of our voting centers.
4. Why security in non-border areas? If at all needed keep very minimum.
5. There is no big urgency to announce the results on the same day. Take your time and use the resources in the constituencies optimally.
Hope we can have a successful second election at a 50% less cost than the 1st one. After all there would not be elaborate electorate education nor a mock election prior to the second parliamentary election!!
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