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

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

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