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)
09 Jan 2024
Date of dissolution of the outgoing legislature
31 Oct 2023
Timing of election
Upon normal expiry
Expected date of next elections
31 Jan 2029
Number of seats at stake
47
Scope of elections
Full renewal

Candidates

Number of parties contesting the election
2

Voter turnout

Registered voters
498,135
Voters
326,775
Voter turnout
65.6%

Results

About the election

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.

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
People's Democratic Party (PDP)

Parties or coalitions winning seats

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
45
Number of women elected
2
Percentage of women elected
4.3%
Women Directly Elected
2
Other notes on the elections

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

Total number of men after the election
45
Total number of women after the election
2
Percentage of women after the election
4.3%
First-term parliamentarians
35
Percentage of first-term parliamentarians
74.5%
Date of the first session
25 Jan 2024

First Speaker of the new legislature

Personal details for the first Speaker of the new legislature
Lungten Dorji (Male)
Date of birth: 11 Nov 1964
Political party
People's Democratic Party (PDP)
Date of election
25 Jan 2024

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