2023–24 Bhutanese National Assembly election

2023–24 Bhutanese National Assembly election
	All 47 seats in the National Assembly; 24 seats needed for a majority
	Results of the first round by constituency
Lotay Tshering; DNT

National Assembly elections are being held in Bhutan on 30 November 2023 and 9 January 2024.^[1]^[2]

Background[edit]

In the 2018 elections the previously unrepresented Druk Nyamrup Tshogpa (DNT) won a majority of seats, with their leader Lotay Tshering becoming prime minister.

During the 2018–2023 term the DNT won four by-elections, retaining the seat of Monggar^[3] and winning the seats of Chhoekhor-Tang,^[4] Nganglam^[5] and Khamdang-Ramjar^[6] from Druk Phuensum Tshogpa (DPT), the former two being DPT strongholds that the party had never lost before.

In 2022 and 2023 two new parties were registered to compete in the 2023 elections—Druk Thuendrel Tshogpa and Bhutan Tendrel Party.

In January 2023 the Bhutan Kuen-Nyam Party (BKP) deregistered itself following years of low activity and difficulty with funding and finding a new party president.^[7] The BKP had come fourth in the 2018 elections.

Electoral system[edit]

The 47 members of the National Assembly are elected from single-member constituencies. Primary elections are held in which voters cast votes for candidates of the parties. The top two parties then advance and are able to field the same or different candidates in the main round of voting, in which members are elected using first-past-the-post voting.^[8]

Results[edit]

As the top two finishers in the primary round, the People's Democratic Party and Bhutan Tendrel Party advanced to the second round, where they will contest for the 47 National Assembly seats.


Party		Votes	%
	People's Democratic Party	133,217	42.54
	Bhutan Tendrel Party	61,331	19.58
	Druk Phuensum Tshogpa	46,694	14.91
	Druk Nyamrup Tshogpa	41,106	13.13
	Druk Thuendrel Tshogpa	30,814	9.84
Total		313,162	100.00

Registered voters/turnout		497,058	63.00
Source: ECB

By constituency[edit]

Constituency	Electorate	First round
Constituency	Electorate	Party		Candidate	Votes	%
Athang-Thedtsho	7,620		People's Democratic Party	Tandin Wangchuk	3,328	43.67
			Druk Thuendrel Tshogpa	Nim Gyeltshen	1,565	20.54
			Bhutan Tendrel Party	Ugyen	990	12.99
			Druk Nyamrup Tshogpa	Kinley Wangchuk	922	12.10
			Druk Phuensum Tshogpa	Kinga Kinga	815	10.70
Bardo-Trong	7,579		People's Democratic Party	Lekey Dorji	3,632	47.92
			Druk Phuensum Tshogpa	Gyambo Tshering	1,786	23.57
			Bhutan Tendrel Party	Pema Dakpa	859	11.33
			Druk Thuendrel Tshogpa	Kezang	679	8.96
			Druk Nyamrup Tshogpa	Sonam Leki	623	8.22
Bartsham-Shongphu	7,563		People's Democratic Party	Kinzang Wangdi	2,386	31.55
			Bhutan Tendrel Party	Rinchen Wangdi	2,355	31.14
			Druk Phuensum Tshogpa	Pasang Dorji	1,342	17.74
			Druk Nyamrup Tshogpa	Sonam Kinga	930	12.30
			Druk Thuendrel Tshogpa	Sonam Phuntsho	550	7.27
Bji-Katsho-Eusu	2,949		People's Democratic Party	Lhendup Wangdi	1,633	55.37
			Bhutan Tendrel Party	Tshering Dorji	626	21.23
			Druk Nyamrup Tshogpa	Ugyen Tenzin	311	10.55
			Druk Thuendrel Tshogpa	Dawa Gyelmo	220	7.46
			Druk Phuensum Tshogpa	Nim Dem	159	5.39
Bongo-Chapcha	10,730		People's Democratic Party	Pempa	6,575	61.28
			Bhutan Tendrel Party	Pema Tenzin	1,321	12.31
			Druk Nyamrup Tshogpa	Tshewang Lhamo	1,234	11.50
			Druk Thuendrel Tshogpa	Purna Bahadur Chhetri	919	8.56
			Druk Phuensum Tshogpa	Sonam Pelden	681	6.35
Bumdeling-Jamkhar	6,242		People's Democratic Party	Thinley Wangchuk	2,024	32.43
			Bhutan Tendrel Party	Wangdi	1,635	26.19
			Druk Phuensum Tshogpa	Ngawang Tashi	1,456	23.33
			Druk Nyamrup Tshogpa	Namgay Wangmo	573	9.18
			Druk Thuendrel Tshogpa	Ugyen Rinzin	554	8.88
Chokhor-Tang	4,638		People's Democratic Party	Kuenzang Thinley	1,613	34.78
			Druk Nyamrup Tshogpa	Dawa	1,406	30.31
			Bhutan Tendrel Party	Pema Norbu	609	13.13
			Druk Phuensum Tshogpa	Thinley Tshering	582	12.55
			Druk Thuendrel Tshogpa	Nima Dorji	428	9.23
Chumey-Ura	2,749		People's Democratic Party	Sonam Rinchen	1,107	40.27
			Druk Phuensum Tshogpa	Karma Wangchuk	496	18.04
			Bhutan Tendrel Party	Tshering Lhadon	471	17.13
			Druk Nyamrup Tshogpa	Sonam Jamtsho	391	14.22
			Druk Thuendrel Tshogpa	Thinley Gyeltshen	284	10.33
Dewathang-Gomdar	10,647		People's Democratic Party	Kelzang Phuntsho	3,719	34.93
			Bhutan Tendrel Party	Tshering Penjor	2,695	25.31
			Druk Phuensum Tshogpa	Ugyen Dorji	2,654	24.93
			Druk Nyamrup Tshogpa	Karma Sherab Thobgyal	818	7.68
			Druk Thuendrel Tshogpa	Chundi Dorji	761	7.15
Dogar-Shaba	6,855		People's Democratic Party	Gem Tshering	3,131	45.67
			Druk Nyamrup Tshogpa	Namgye Tshering	2,312	33.73
			Bhutan Tendrel Party	Jigme	577	8.42
			Druk Thuendrel Tshogpa	Jangchuk Tshomo	529	7.72
			Druk Phuensum Tshogpa	Zacko	306	4.46
Dopchuchen-Tading	8,600		People's Democratic Party	Ugyen Lama	4,857	56.48
			Bhutan Tendrel Party	Deepak Sunwar	1,442	16.77
			Druk Nyamrup Tshogpa	Loknath Sharma	1,244	14.47
			Druk Phuensum Tshogpa	Tara Man Ghalley	577	6.71
			Druk Thuendrel Tshogpa	Tirtha Man Rai	480	5.58
Dragteng-Langthel	4,341		People's Democratic Party	Namgay Dorji	1,695	39.05
			Bhutan Tendrel Party	Dorji	869	20.02
			Druk Phuensum Tshogpa	Nidup Gyeltshen	737	16.98
			Druk Thuendrel Tshogpa	Tharchen	603	13.89
			Druk Nyamrup Tshogpa	Gem Dorji	437	10.07
Drametse-Ngatshang	9,820		People's Democratic Party	Tobgay Tobgay	3,638	37.05
			Druk Phuensum Tshogpa	Ugyen Wangdi	2,497	25.43
			Bhutan Tendrel Party	Kinzang Wangchuk	2,478	25.23
			Druk Nyamrup Tshogpa	Jigme Dorji	698	7.11
			Druk Thuendrel Tshogpa	Tenzin Wangchuk	509	5.18
Drujegang-Tseza	9,291		People's Democratic Party	Sonam Dorji	4,515	48.60
			Bhutan Tendrel Party	Nima Tshering	1,448	15.58
			Druk Thuendrel Tshogpa	Ganeshman Gurung	1,159	12.47
			Druk Phuensum Tshogpa	Chador Wangmo	1,094	11.77
			Druk Nyamrup Tshogpa	Tashi Penjor	1,075	11.57
Gangzur-Minjey	5,682		People's Democratic Party	Chimi Dorji	1,731	30.46
			Bhutan Tendrel Party	Loday Tsheten	1,375	24.20
			Druk Nyamrup Tshogpa	Kinga Penjore	1,196	21.05
			Druk Thuendrel Tshogpa	Sangay Dorji	731	12.87
			Druk Phuensum Tshogpa	Sonam Phuntsho	649	11.42
Gelephu	12,422		People's Democratic Party	Harka Sign Tamang	5,627	45.30
			Druk Phuensum Tshogpa	Dechen Lhaden	2,399	19.31
			Bhutan Tendrel Party	Karma Rinchen	2,261	18.20
			Druk Nyamrup Tshogpa	Namgay Tashi	1,353	10.89
			Druk Thuendrel Tshogpa	Karma Jurmin Thinley	782	6.30
Jomotshangkha-Martshala	8,076		People's Democratic Party	Yonten Phuntsho	3,112	38.53
			Druk Phuensum Tshogpa	Norbu Wangzom	1,675	20.74
			Bhutan Tendrel Party	Jigme Wangchuk	1,555	19.25
			Druk Nyamrup Tshogpa	Dorji Tshering	1,044	12.93
			Druk Thuendrel Tshogpa	Tshering Norbu	690	8.54
Kabji-Talo	7,549		People's Democratic Party	Namgyal Dorji	3,674	48.67
			Bhutan Tendrel Party	Tshering Dorji	1,471	19.49
			Druk Nyamrup Tshogpa	Tsencho Wangdi	1,284	17.01
			Druk Thuendrel Tshogpa	Kinzang Thinley	587	7.78
			Druk Phuensum Tshogpa	Sangay Phurba	533	7.06
Kanglung-Samkhar-Udzorong	8,008		Bhutan Tendrel Party	Pema Chewang	3,937	49.16
			People's Democratic Party	Norbu Wangchuk	2,479	30.96
			Druk Nyamrup Tshogpa	Tenzin Namgyel	552	6.89
			Druk Phuensum Tshogpa	Karma Chhophel	538	6.72
			Druk Thuendrel Tshogpa	Tshering Dorji	502	6.27
Kengkhar-Weringla	7,796		People's Democratic Party	Sonam Penjor	2,726	34.97
			Druk Phuensum Tshogpa	Rinzin Jamtsho	2,076	26.63
			Bhutan Tendrel Party	Dorji Wangmo	1,547	19.84
			Druk Nyamrup Tshogpa	Kunzang Drukpa	736	9.44
			Druk Thuendrel Tshogpa	Ugyen Thinley	711	9.12
Khamaed-Lunana	837		Bhutan Tendrel Party	Dhendup	275	32.86
			People's Democratic Party	Pema Drakpa	271	32.38
			Druk Nyamrup Tshogpa	Yeshey Dem	154	18.40
			Druk Phuensum Tshogpa	Sonam Chezom	95	11.35
			Druk Thuendrel Tshogpa	Kinley Dorji	42	5.02
Khamdang-Ramjar	6,215		Bhutan Tendrel Party	Namgay Dorji	2,463	39.63
			People's Democratic Party	Kinley Dorji	1,695	27.27
			Druk Phuensum Tshogpa	Tshering Tobgay	999	16.07
			Druk Nyamrup Tshogpa	Karma Gyeltshen	724	11.65
			Druk Thuendrel Tshogpa	Phuntsho Wangdi	334	5.37
Khar-Yurung	6,437		Druk Phuensum Tshogpa	Tshering Choden	2,012	31.26
			Bhutan Tendrel Party	Sangay Thinley	1,687	26.21
			People's Democratic Party	Lekden Zangmo	1,412	21.94
			Druk Thuendrel Tshogpa	Norbu	669	10.39
			Druk Nyamrup Tshogpa	Chenga Tshewang	657	10.21
Khatoe-Laya	881		Druk Nyamrup Tshogpa	Tenzin	322	36.55
			People's Democratic Party	Lhaba Lhaba	218	24.74
			Druk Thuendrel Tshogpa	Dorji Khandu	128	14.53
			Druk Phuensum Tshogpa	Pema Wangchuk	123	13.96
			Bhutan Tendrel Party	Ugyen Dem	90	10.22
Kilkhorthang-Mendrelgang	8,264		People's Democratic Party	Kamal Bahadur Gurung	4,134	50.02
			Bhutan Tendrel Party	Dhan Bdr Tamang	1,772	21.44
			Druk Thuendrel Tshogpa	Dhan Bahadur Chhetri	891	10.78
			Druk Nyamrup Tshogpa	Bimal Thapa	741	8.97
			Druk Phuensum Tshogpa	Sahadev Thapa	726	8.79
Lamgong-Wangchang	7,316		People's Democratic Party	Sonam Tashi	2,835	38.75
			Druk Nyamrup Tshogpa	Ugyen Tshering	1,488	20.34
			Bhutan Tendrel Party	Kunzang Dorji	1,265	17.29
			Druk Phuensum Tshogpa	Tandin Dorji	868	11.86
			Druk Thuendrel Tshogpa	Sangay Dorji	860	11.76
Lhamoidzingkha-Tashiding	8,013		People's Democratic Party	Chandra Bdr Gurung	5,091	63.53
			Bhutan Tendrel Party	Prakash Sharma	1,058	13.20
			Druk Thuendrel Tshogpa	Bishnulal Bhandari Chhetri	628	7.84
			Druk Nyamrup Tshogpa	Dorji Phuntsho	626	7.81
			Druk Phuensum Tshogpa	Krishna Bahadur Tamang	610	7.61
Lingmukha-Toewang	5,348		People's Democratic Party	Namgay Wangchuk	1,888	35.30
			Druk Thuendrel Tshogpa	Sonam Wang	1,548	28.95
			Druk Nyamrup Tshogpa	Tandi Dorji	1,019	19.05
			Bhutan Tendrel Party	Gyambo Sithey	632	11.82
			Druk Phuensum Tshogpa	Tenzin Tshewang	261	4.88
Menbi-Tsenkhar	5,681		People's Democratic Party	Yeshey Dorji	2,486	43.76
			Bhutan Tendrel Party	Tempa Dorji	1,352	23.80
			Druk Phuensum Tshogpa	Choki Gyeltshen	753	13.25
			Druk Nyamrup Tshogpa	Sonam Dargay	610	10.74
			Druk Thuendrel Tshogpa	Tshoki Lhamo	480	8.45
Mongar	7,802		People's Democratic Party	Sonam Dendup	3,030	38.84
			Bhutan Tendrel Party	Naiten Wangchuk	1,980	25.38
			Druk Nyamrup Tshogpa	Karma Lhamo	1,081	13.86
			Druk Phuensum Tshogpa	Ugyen Gyeltshen	950	12.18
			Druk Thuendrel Tshogpa	Sonam Pelzom	761	9.75
Nanong-Shumar	6,400		People's Democratic Party	Pema Wangchuk	1,559	24.36
			Bhutan Tendrel Party	Yeshey Jamtsho	1,536	24.00
			Druk Phuensum Tshogpa	Lungten Namgyel	1,386	21.66
			Druk Nyamrup Tshogpa	Sonam Dhendup	1,129	17.64
			Druk Thuendrel Tshogpa	Wangchuk	790	12.34
Nganglam	5,355		Druk Phuensum Tshogpa	Rinchen Pelzang	2,494	46.57
			People's Democratic Party	Rinchen Khandu	1,158	21.62
			Bhutan Tendrel Party	Lamdra Wangdi	923	17.24
			Druk Nyamrup Tshogpa	Karma Dorji	572	10.68
			Druk Thuendrel Tshogpa	Jambay Yeshey	208	3.88
Nisho-Sephu	8,297		People's Democratic Party	Kuenga	4,038	48.67
			Druk Nyamrup Tshogpa	Wangchuk Namgyel	1,383	16.67
			Druk Thuendrel Tshogpa	Tashi Penjor Dorji	1,179	14.21
			Bhutan Tendrel Party	Karma Dorji	1,141	13.75
			Druk Phuensum Tshogpa	Ugyen Tshering	556	6.70
North Thimphu	4,375		People's Democratic Party	Tshering	1,602	36.62
			Bhutan Tendrel Party	Sonam M Penjor	959	21.92
			Druk Thuendrel Tshogpa	Kinga Tshering	669	15.29
			Druk Nyamrup Tshogpa	Dechen Wangmo	632	14.45
			Druk Phuensum Tshogpa	Namgyel Wangdi	513	11.73
Nubi-Tangsibji	3,174		People's Democratic Party	Phuntsho Dendup	1,049	33.05
			Druk Phuensum Tshogpa	Zhungchuk	618	19.47
			Druk Thuendrel Tshogpa	Tashi Samdrup	556	17.52
			Druk Nyamrup Tshogpa	Yeshi Penjor	533	16.79
			Bhutan Tendrel Party	Tashi Dorji	418	13.17
Panbang	5,991		People's Democratic Party	Lungten Dorji	2,628	43.87
			Druk Phuensum Tshogpa	Dorji Wangdi	2,104	35.12
			Bhutan Tendrel Party	Dorji Cheten	623	10.40
			Druk Nyamrup Tshogpa	Tshering Lhendrup	375	6.26
			Druk Thuendrel Tshogpa	Karma Dema	261	4.36
Phuentsholing	7,950		People's Democratic Party	Rinzin Dorji	4,619	58.10
			Druk Nyamrup Tshogpa	JB Rai	1,372	17.26
			Bhutan Tendrel Party	Maita Raj Rai	879	11.06
			Druk Thuendrel Tshogpa	Damcho Gyetshen	592	7.45
			Druk Phuensum Tshogpa	Natra Ghalley	488	6.14
Phuentshopelri-Samtse	6,979		People's Democratic Party	DN Dhungyel	3,863	55.35
			Bhutan Tendrel Party	Pasang Dorji	1,355	19.42
			Druk Phuensum Tshogpa	Sonam Lepcha	665	9.53
			Druk Nyamrup Tshogpa	Ngawang Nidup	638	9.14
			Druk Thuendrel Tshogpa	Subash Sharma	458	6.56
Radhi-Sakten	6,894		People's Democratic Party	Sonam Wangchuk	2,388	34.64
			Bhutan Tendrel Party	Tashi Tenzin	1,523	22.09
			Druk Phuensum Tshogpa	Tenzin Jamtsho	1,130	16.39
			Druk Nyamrup Tshogpa	Dorji Tshering	1,109	16.09
			Druk Thuendrel Tshogpa	Tashi Dorji	744	10.79
Sergithang-Tsirang Toed	7,759		People's Democratic Party	Lhakpa Tamang	4,206	54.21
			Bhutan Tendrel Party	Gopal Thapa	1,023	13.18
			Druk Phuensum Tshogpa	Sarvajit Rai	954	12.30
			Druk Nyamrup Tshogpa	Garja Man Rai	890	11.47
			Druk Thuendrel Tshogpa	Kewal Ram Adhikari	686	8.84
Shompangkha	9,175		People's Democratic Party	Tek Bhadur Rai	4,865	53.02
			Bhutan Tendrel Party	Lachuman Ghalley	1,586	17.29
			Druk Phuensum Tshogpa	Tsedrup	1,065	11.61
			Druk Nyamrup Tshogpa	Tek Bdr Rai	959	10.45
			Druk Thuendrel Tshogpa	Susan Lama	700	7.63
Somgbaykha	2,778		People's Democratic Party	Tshering Tobgay	2,133	76.78
			Bhutan Tendrel Party	Ngawang Tobgay	226	8.14
			Druk Nyamrup Tshogpa	Dorji Wangmo	153	5.51
			Druk Thuendrel Tshogpa	Jampel Dorji	136	4.90
			Druk Phuensum Tshogpa	Sonam Peljore	130	4.68
South Thimphu	6,223		Druk Nyamrup Tshogpa	Lotay Tshering	2,006	32.24
			People's Democratic Party	Tshewang Rinzin	1,747	28.07
			Bhutan Tendrel Party	Tandin Tshering	980	15.75
			Druk Thuendrel Tshogpa	Kinlay Dorjee	835	13.42
			Druk Phuensum Tshogpa	Sangay Tshering	655	10.53
Tashicholing	8,381		People's Democratic Party	Sangay Khandu	3,627	43.28
			Druk Phuensum Tshogpa	Namgay	1,657	19.77
			Druk Thuendrel Tshogpa	Mani Kumar Ghalay	1,260	15.03
			Bhutan Tendrel Party	Ritu Raj Chhetri	931	11.11
			Druk Nyamrup Tshogpa	Amina Gurung	906	10.81
Thrimshing	5,213		People's Democratic Party	Dorji Choden	2,140	41.05
			Druk Thuendrel Tshogpa	Chenga Tshering	1,048	20.10
			Bhutan Tendrel Party	Damche Tenzin	881	16.90
			Druk Phuensum Tshogpa	Ugyen Dorji	608	11.66
			Druk Nyamrup Tshogpa	Ugyen Dorji	536	10.28
Ugyentse-Yoeseltse	6,555		People's Democratic Party	Dimple Thapa	3,523	53.75
			Bhutan Tendrel Party	Pushparaj Humagai	1,176	17.94
			Druk Nyamrup Tshogpa	Dinish Kumar Pradhan	747	11.40
			Druk Thuendrel Tshogpa	Deo Raj Ghalley	576	8.79
			Druk Phuensum Tshogpa	Bharat Bahadur Pradhan	533	8.13
Wamrong	5,712		Bhutan Tendrel Party	Lam Dorji	2,076	36.34
			People's Democratic Party	Yeshey Nidup	1,810	31.69
			Druk Phuensum Tshogpa	Sonam Tshering	689	12.06
			Druk Nyamrup Tshogpa	Jigme Wangdi	605	10.59
			Druk Thuendrel Tshogpa	Lhatu	532	9.31
Source: Kuensel

References[edit]

^ "Fourth Parliamentary Elections 2023-2024: National Assembly" (PDF). Election Commission of Bhutan. Retrieved 4 November 2023.
^ "ECB announces National Assembly poll dates". Kuensel Online. Retrieved 2023-11-06.
^ Namgyal, Tshering. "Mongar : Karma Lhamo wins with DNT". Kuensel. Retrieved 12 September 2023.
^ "Breaking: Dawa wins Chhoekhor-Tang bye-election". Kuensel. Retrieved 12 September 2023.
^ Wangchuk, Kelzang. "Nganglam: DNT breaks DPT's hold in Nganglam". Kuensel. Retrieved 12 September 2023.
^ Dolkar, Dechen. "DNT wins Khamdang Ramjar bye-election". Kuensel. Retrieved 12 September 2023.
^ Dolkar, Dechen. "BKP deregisters with ECB". Kuensel. Retrieved 12 September 2023.
^ "IPU PARLINE database: BHUTAN (Tshogdu), Electoral system". Inter-Parliamentary Union. Retrieved 2021-06-05.

[1] "Fourth Parliamentary Elections 2023-2024: National Assembly" (PDF). Election Commission of Bhutan. Retrieved 4 November 2023.

[2] "ECB announces National Assembly poll dates". Kuensel Online. Retrieved 2023-11-06.

[3] Namgyal, Tshering. "Mongar : Karma Lhamo wins with DNT". Kuensel. Retrieved 12 September 2023.

[4] "Breaking: Dawa wins Chhoekhor-Tang bye-election". Kuensel. Retrieved 12 September 2023.

[5] Wangchuk, Kelzang. "Nganglam: DNT breaks DPT's hold in Nganglam". Kuensel. Retrieved 12 September 2023.

[6] Dolkar, Dechen. "DNT wins Khamdang Ramjar bye-election". Kuensel. Retrieved 12 September 2023.

[7] Dolkar, Dechen. "BKP deregisters with ECB". Kuensel. Retrieved 12 September 2023.

[8] "IPU PARLINE database: BHUTAN (Tshogdu), Electoral system". Inter-Parliamentary Union. Retrieved 2021-06-05.

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]

[8]

v t e Elections in Bhutan
National Assembly	2008 2013 2018 2023–24
National Council	2007–08 2013 2018 2023
Local councils	2011 2016 2021