Bhutan

National Assembly

Political system
Monarchy
Structure of parliament
Bicameral
IPU membership
Yes

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)
18 Oct 2018
Date of dissolution of the outgoing legislature
01 Aug 2018
Timing of election
Upon normal expiry
Number of seats at stake
47
Scope of elections
Full renewal

Candidates

Number of parties contesting the election
2
Total number of candidates
94
Number of male candidates
84
Number of female candidates
10
Percentage of women candidates
10.6%

Voter turnout

Registered voters
438,663
Voters
313,473
Voter turnout
71.5%

Results

About the election

The Druk Nyamrup Tshogpa (DNT), led Mr. Lotay Tshering, won the general election, taking 30 seats in the 47-member National Assembly. Druk Phuensum Tshogpa (DPT, which had led the country between 2008 and 2013) increased its share to 17 seats. During election campaigning, both parties focused on the economy and energy. The DNT promised to uplift the standard of living of lower and middle-income groups and accelerate the generation of hydropower. The DPT promised to work to reduce dependency on fossil-fuel-based energy.

On 29 October, the King appointed DNT leader Lotay Tshering - medical doctor and popular social activist - as the new Prime Minister. He replaced Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay, whose People's Democratic Party (PDP) had lost in the primary elections held on 15 September, following which the DNT and the DPT qualified to contest the 2018 general election.

Number of parties winning seats
2
Percentage of parties winning seats
100.0%
Percentage of seats won by largest party or coalition
63.8%
Alternation of power after elections
Yes
Number of parties in government
1
Names of parties in government
Druk Nyamrup Tshogpa (DNT)

Parties or coalitions winning seats

Parties or coalitions winning seats
Political group Total
Druk Nyamrup Tshogpa (DNT) 30
Druk Phuensum Tshogpa (DPT) 17
Members elected, by sex
Number of men elected
40
Number of women elected
7
Percentage of women elected
14.9%
Women Directly Elected
7
Sources

National Assembly (24.10.2018)

http://www.ecb.bt

http://www.druknyamrup.info/manifestos/

Kuensel Online

Daily Bhutan

BBC Monitoring

Foreign Policy (FP)

The Diplomat

New legislature

Total number of men after the election
40
Total number of women after the election
7
Percentage of women after the election
14.9%
First-term parliamentarians
35
Percentage of first-term parliamentarians
74.5%
Date of the first session
31 Oct 2018

First Speaker of the new legislature

Personal details for the first Speaker of the new legislature
Wangchuk Namgyel (Male)
Date of birth: 1964
Political party
Druk Nyamrup Tshogpa (DNT)
Date of election
31 Oct 2018

Historical data for IPU membership

Historical data for IPU membership
Year IPU membership
2020-09
List of values for 2020-09
No
2019-04
List of values for 2019-04
No
2018-06
List of values for 2018-06
No