Bhutan
National Assembly
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Political system
Political systems: Presidential, Parliamentary, Presidential-Parliamentary, Monarchy, Communist, Transitional.
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Monarchy
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Structure of parliament
Structure of parliament: Unicameral, bicameral
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Bicameral
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IPU membership
Current membership status
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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
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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.
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09 Jan 2024
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Date of dissolution of the outgoing legislature
Date at which the previous legislature (elected at the previous elections) was dissolved.
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31 Oct 2023
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Timing of election
Timing of election: Upon normal expiry; Early elections; Delayed elections
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Upon normal expiry
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Expected date of next elections
The expected date at which the next elections should take place, based on law or practice.
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31 Jan 2029
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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.
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47
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Scope of elections
Scope of elections: Full renewal; Partial renewal.
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Full renewal
Candidates
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Number of parties contesting the election
This field may include either the number of parties contesting the election, or the number of coalitions/electoral alliance.
View field in the data dictionary -
2
Voter turnout
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Registered voters
Number of people registered to vote
View field in the data dictionary -
498,135
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Voters
Number of people who actually voted
View field in the data dictionary -
326,775
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Voter turnout
The percentage is calculated by dividing the number of people who actually voted by the number of people registered to vote
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65.6%
Results
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About the election
Short description of the context and results of the election.
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The People's Democratic Party (PDP), led by former Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay, won the general election, taking 30 seats in the 47-seat National Assembly. The Bhutan Tendrel Party (BTP), a new party, led by Mr. Pema Chewang, took the remainder. Only two women were elected in 2024, down from seven in 2018. On 28 January 2024, Mr. Tobgay was sworn in for a second term in office (see note).
The 2024 elections were the first to be held after the COVID-19 pandemic, which affected the country’s economy. During election campaigning, both the PDP and BTP focused on economic growth and job creation, as well as the “happiness and well-being of the people” – a reference to the country’s “Gross National Happiness” index. The PDP also said it would like to maintain a good relationship with India.
Note:
The terms of office of the outgoing legislature and government ended on 31 October 2023. On 1 November, King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck appointed an interim government led by Chief Justice Chogyal Dago Rigdzin.
In primary elections held on 30 November 2023, the two parties that would contest the general election were selected. Both parties in the outgoing legislature – Prime Minister Tobgay’s Druk Nyamrup Tshogpa (DNT) and Druk Phuensum Tshogpa (DPT) – were eliminated.
After the general election, the King appoints the leader of the largest party in the National Assembly as the Prime Minister.
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Number of parties winning seats
The number of parties which won parliamentary representation in the given election.
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2
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Percentage of parties winning seats
The percentage is calculated by dividing the number of parties which won parliamentary representation by the number of parties contesting the election.
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100.0%
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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.
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63.8%
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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.
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Yes
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Number of parties in government
The government may be formed by one or more political parties
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1
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Names of parties in government
The government may be formed by one or more political parties
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People's Democratic Party (PDP)
Parties or coalitions winning seats
| Political group | Total |
|---|---|
| People's Democratic Party (PDP) | 30 |
| Bhutan Tendrel Party (BTP) | 17 |
Members elected, by sex
- Number of men elected
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45
- Number of women elected
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2
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Percentage of women elected
The percentage is calculated by dividing the number of women elected by the number of seats filled.
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4.3%
- Women Directly Elected
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2
- Other notes on the elections
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Note on the timing of election:
The National Assembly’s five-year term expired on 31 October 2023. An interim government, appointed by the King, is required to organize elections within 90 days of the term expiring. The January 2024 elections are thus considered to have been held upon normal expiry.
- Sources
New legislature
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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.
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45
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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.
View field in the data dictionary -
2
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Percentage of women after the election
The percentage is calculated by dividing the total number of women in this parliament/chamber by the current number of members.
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4.3%
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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.
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35
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Percentage of first-term parliamentarians
The percentage is calculated by dividing the number of first-term parliamentarians by the number of seats at stake in the election.
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74.5%
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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.
View field in the data dictionary -
25 Jan 2024
First Speaker of the new legislature
- Personal details for the first Speaker of the new legislature
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Lungten Dorji (Male)
Date of birth: 11 Nov 1964 -
Political party
The political party to which the Speaker belonged to at the moment of the election. In some parliaments, the Speaker suspends or relinquishes their party membership during their term in office and is considered as an independent member.
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People's Democratic Party (PDP)
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Date of election
The date of the election of the Speaker may be different from the date of the first session of the new legislature.
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25 Jan 2024