Better Late than Never for Bhutan's Democracy

Bhutan was a latecomer to democracy. The small Himalayan empire joined the ranks of democratic nations only in 08 after the first national elections and it is constitution approved. However, since then, how is democracy developing in the country?

Elections would be the most visible symbols of democratic rule. There have been two national elections — within 2008 and 2013 — to choose the members of the partisan National Assembly and the non-partisan National Council.

The system seems to be working nicely. The 2013 election saw greater political competition along with two new parties operating alongside the two original events for the National Assembly. Additionally, there were more candidates for positions in the National Local authority or council. This non-partisan body acts as home of review in the Bhutanese parliament.

In 2013, control of government changed hands from the Druk Phuensum Tshogpa Celebration (DPT or Bhutan Peace and Success Party) to the People’s Democratic Party after the DPT was unable to entrench by itself in its first term. There have been very few occurrences of the political election malpractices evident in Bhutan’s South Asian neighbours. Electoral violence is virtually unknown and vote buying is rare. The actual Election Commission runs a tight ship and vigilantly enforces the long list of electoral rules.

Various institutions associated with good democratic governance are also performing well. The parliament is actually orderly and goes about its work with purpose and in a spirit of co-operation. The judiciary seems to be independent and takes its role of guardian of the constitution seriously, such as when it found the speaker and a cabinet minister from the former government guilty of illegal land dealings. The judiciary has additionally been undergoing modernisation by appointing more youthful judges with modern legal training.

But it has not just already been good news. The turnout for both the The year 2013 National Council and National Assembly elections fell from the 08 figures. For the National Council election, only 45 percent of registered voters turned out, lower from 53 percent in 2008. The preliminary political election for the National Assembly (where the choosing of the two parties contesting the general election occurs) attracted a 55 percent turnout. The general election saw 66 percent of registered voters at the polling stations, lower from 79 percent in 2008.

If these trends continue at the next set of elections within 2018, there will be concerns about how committed Bhutan’s citizens are to democracy.  Parties remain weak institutions along with low memberships — between 135 and 799 members within 2013 — and governed by rigid rules.

All parties and candidates must promote national oneness and the state philosophy of gross national happiness, highlighting the concern for stability in the Bhutanese polity. Another indicator of the is that only two parties can contest the general election. This ensures there will be a federal government party and an opposition party —no coalitions or shifted allegiances can occur for the duration of the parliament.

Bhutan’s already low female representation fell lower in 2013. The National Council had no women elected and just four to the 47-person National Assembly. Female candidates were in short supply, a reflection of demography and tradition. There are fewer eligible ladies because all candidates should have a university degree and there tend to be far fewer women with such qualifications. There are also cultural beliefs concerning the role and status of women, which militate against their position and winning. While women led the two new parties for 2013, both lost in the preliminary election for the National Assembly.

The constitution ensures a variety of freedoms to citizens of Bhutan. One is freedom associated with association. This has not led to a flourishing civil society. Apart from political parties, there are some non-government organisations (NGOs) in areas for example women’s and children’s problems and environment. NGOs must not stray into areas perceived as intimidating national security such as refugees as well as human rights. There are no industry unions, and demonstrations — though not illegal — simply do not take place.

The constitution assures freedom associated with expression. The advent of democracy offers led to the considerable growth of mass media, especially newspapers and radio. But while mass media do publish stories crucial of government, there appears to be self-censorship. The actual 2014 Reporters Without Borders position of media freedom saw Bhutan slip ten places to 92 out of 180 nations.

Fortunately, social media has taken off. It has provided opportunities for more critical voices via the mobile phones which have penetrated the farthest corners of the remote country.

From the beginning, Bhutan took an unusual path to democracy.  The Fourth King decreed it as his ‘gift’ to the nation. Although their citizens could not refuse the present, the question of whether they have fully accepted it remains unanswered.

Democracy still taking root within Bhutan is republished with permission through East Asia Forum