New Parline: the IPU’s Open Data Platform (beta)
Your one-stop-shop for information about national parliaments

Bhutan

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National Council

This is a bicameral parliament. Switch to theNational Assembly
Political system Political systems: Presidential, Parliamentary, Presidential-Parliamentary, Monarchy, Communist, Transitional.
Monarchy
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Structure of parliament Structure of parliament: Unicameral, bicameral
Bicameral
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IPU membership Current membership status
Yes
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Election results

Data on parliamentary elections, including the background, candidates, voter turnout, results and the formation of the new legislature. By default the latest election results are displayed. Select a date to view results from previous elections

Background

Election date(s) The date when elections started and ended for directly or indirectly elected parliaments/chambers. The date of appointments for appointed parliaments/chambers.
23.04.2013
Date of dissolution of the outgoing legislature Date at which the previous legislature (elected at the previous elections) was dissolved.
29.04.2013
Timing of election Timing of election: Upon normal expiry; Early elections; Delayed elections
Upon normal expiry
Expected date of next elections The expected date at which the next elections should take place, based on law or practice.
30.04.2023
Number of seats at stake Number of seats contested at the elections. Where the parliament/chamber is fully renewed, this number is usually identical to the statutory number of members. Where the parliament/chamber is partially renewed or appointed, the number of seats at stake is usually less than the total number of members.
20
Scope of elections Scope of elections: Full renewal; Partial renewal.
Full renewal

Candidates

Total number of candidates Total number of people who registered as candidates for election. Does not include people who stood as candidates to become "substitute members".
67
Number of male candidates Number of male candidates
62
Number of female candidates Number of female candidates
5
Percentage of women candidates The percentage is calculated by dividing the number of women candidates by the total number of candidates.
7.46%
Notes
Number of parties contesting the election: N/A. Membership of the National Council is not party-based

Results

About the election Short description of the context and results of the election.
A total of 67 candidates stood for the second elections to the 25-member National Council. At stake were 20 seats; the five remaining seats being appointed by the King. All candidates ran as independents since, unlike the National Assembly, membership of the National Council is not party-based. Candidates' programmes included upholding democracy, ensuring good governance, peace and security or increasing Gross National Happiness (see note). Six of the 14 outgoing members were re-elected. Although three women had been elected to the previous legislature, none of the five women candidates were successful in 2013. Note: Gross National Happiness (GNH) is described at www.grossnationalhappiness.com. It measures material and spiritual development as well as economic development. The concept dates back to the 1729 legal code, which declared that "if the Government cannot create happiness (dekid) for its people, there is no purpose for the Government to exist".
Percentage of seats won by largest party or coalition The percentage is calculated by dividing the number of seats won by the largest party by the number of seats at stake in the election.
160%
Alternation of power after elections The results of the elections caused a change in the government. "Not applicable" to countries using the presidential system when parliamentary and presidential elections are held separately, to countries in political transition or where there is no party system.
Not applicable
Parties or coalitions winning seats
Political groups winning seats breakdown
Political group Total
People's Democratic Party (PDP) 32
Druk Phuensum Tshogpa (DPT) 15
Members elected, by sex
Number of men elected
23
Number of women elected
2
Percentage of women elected The percentage is calculated by dividing the number of women elected in the election and the number of seats at stake at the election.
10%
Note on the Distribution of seats according to sex
No women were elected in 2013 but two were appointed by the King.
Sources
National Council (03.05.2013, 28.05.2013)
Women Appointed
2

New legislature

Total number of men after the election The total number of male parliamentarians in this parliament/chamber following the election or renewal, regardless of their modes of designation.
23
Total number of women after the election The total number of female parliamentarians in this parliament/chamber following the election or renewal, regardless of their modes of designation.
2
First-term parliamentarians The number of members who are assuming their parliamentary mandate for the first time following the election or renewal, regardless of their mode of designation.
14
Date of the first session The date when the newly elected parliament/chamber was convened for the first time. It may be different from the date when members were sworn in.
10.05.2013
First Speaker of the new legislature
First Speaker of the new legislature First name of the Speaker of the new legislature following the election or renewal.
Sonam Kinga (Male)