A date with democracy

Two deputy commissioners from Punjab help Bhutan shift gears, 8220;observe8221; the first mock election in the royal kingdom

It may be Bhutan8217;s tryst with democracy, but two people in India can barely conceal their excitement. For even as the royal kingdom shrugs off 100 years of monarchy and readies to embrace democracy next year, Rakhee Gupta Bhandari and S.R. Ladhar have played a minor part in making the transition easier. The two deputy commissioners from Punjab were the only two selected from the country as international observers by the Election Commission of India to be part of the first mock parliamentary polls held in Bhutan on April 21.

8220;While many people are ignorant about the concept of democracy, they are excited at the prospect of people8217;s power knocking at their doorstep,8221; says Bhandari, the Faridkot DC, who, along with Ladhar, stayed in Bhutan for a week.

The mock poll had no political parties or formal manifestoes, but electronic voting machines were used. 8220;The representation of parties was symbolic in the form of four colours, each with a theme,8221; says Bhandari. It was the traditional yellow colour8212;symbolising that the party would work to maintain traditional culture and values8212;that won with a clear majority, The other three colours included red, symbolising rapid industrialisation, green for conservation of environment, and blue for honesty and transparency.

8220;The staff and voters were very quick learners and there was tremendous enthusiasm both among officials and voters,8221; says Ladhar, the DC from Sangrur. While a section of people is content with the existing monarchy, the voter percentage was over 50 per cent Bhutan has a population of about 7.5 lakh people, reflecting the mood of the people, adds Ladhar.

Earlier, nearly two dozen officials from Bhutan had visited Punjab during the assembly elections to experience the electoral process. Still, Bhandari and Ladhar had several suggestions to offer. 8220;Their system of receiving and sending electoral material was not up to the mark,8221; she says, adding that the concept of control room too was missing in the mock polls.

In their recommendations to the Election Commission of Bhutan, the two said that they should have polling stations on the basis of topography, not population, and have lesser number of women for election duty. 8220;Most of the staff comprised women from Bhutan8217;s Education Department. We suggested that they have the right mix because it is not easy for women to go to higher altitudes,8221; says Bhandari.