Bhutan

National Council

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): 20 Apr 2023
Date of dissolution of the outgoing legislature: No information available
Timing of election: Upon normal expiry
Expected date of next elections: 30 Apr 2028
Number of seats at stake: 20
Scope of elections: Full renewal

Candidates

Number of parties contesting the election: Not applicable
Not applicable. There is no party system or candidates stood as independents.: Yes
Total number of candidates: 89

Voter turnout

Registered voters: 485,811
Voters: 265,441
Voter turnout: 54.6%

Results

About the election: All candidates ran as independents, as the membership of the 25-member National Council is not party-based, unlike the National Assembly (lower chamber). In 2023, 89 candidates (down from 121 in 2018) vied for the 20 seats at stake. One woman was elected, down from two in 2018. The King subsequently appointed the five remaining members, including two women.

The 2023 elections were the first to be held under the 2022 law (see note). The Election Commission stated that it had developed the law in view of holding elections “in a free and fair manner, curbing electoral corruption and further raising the standard of electoral participation”.

Note:

The Rules on Elections Conduct in the Kingdom of Bhutan, 2022, require candidates to submit additional certificates for their educational, professional and financial backgrounds. They also set higher penalty fees in the event of breaches of electoral law.

Source: https://www.ecb.bt/rules-on-elections-conduct-in-the-kingdom-of-bhutan-2022/
Number of parties in government: Not applicable

Members elected, by sex

Number of men elected: 19
Number of women elected: 1
Percentage of women elected: 5.0%
Women Directly Elected: 1
Women Appointed: 2
Sources: National Council (26.04.2023, 12.05.2023)

https://www.ecb.bt/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/FinalResult_NC2023.pdf

https://www.ecb.bt/provisional-results-for-national-council-elections-2023/

https://www.ecb.bt/finalerollnce2023/

https://www.ecb.bt/rules-on-elections-conduct-in-the-kingdom-of-bhutan-2022/

https://bhutantimes.bt

New legislature

Total number of men after the election: 22
Total number of women after the election: 3
Percentage of women after the election: 12.0%
First-term parliamentarians: 18
Percentage of first-term parliamentarians: 72.0%
Date of the first session: 10 May 2023

First Speaker of the new legislature

Personal details for the first Speaker of the new legislature: Sangay Dorji (Male)
Date of birth: 11 Nov 1981
Date of election: 10 May 2023