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| Version 5 | Version 6 |
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| Bhutanese vote in historic poll | Bhutanese vote in historic poll |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| People in Bhutan have been voting in elections that will bring an end to more than a century of royal rule. | |
| Monday's vote for the 47-seat National Assembly completes the country's peaceful transition from an absolute monarchy to a constitutional monarchy. | Monday's vote for the 47-seat National Assembly completes the country's peaceful transition from an absolute monarchy to a constitutional monarchy. |
| Correspondents say there is huge interest in the election, although many people say they liked the old system. | Correspondents say there is huge interest in the election, although many people say they liked the old system. |
| The only two parties in the race have similar manifestos, promising less poverty and better infrastructure. | The only two parties in the race have similar manifestos, promising less poverty and better infrastructure. |
| Both are led by former prime ministers. The People's Democratic Party (PDP) is headed by Sangay Ngedup, who is the brother of the former king's four wives - all sisters. | Both are led by former prime ministers. The People's Democratic Party (PDP) is headed by Sangay Ngedup, who is the brother of the former king's four wives - all sisters. |
| Jigmi Thinley, head of the Bhutan Harmony Party (DPT - Druk Phuensum Tshogpa), has no royal connections and has pitched his party as representing ordinary Bhutanese. | Jigmi Thinley, head of the Bhutan Harmony Party (DPT - Druk Phuensum Tshogpa), has no royal connections and has pitched his party as representing ordinary Bhutanese. |
| An election for the upper house of parliament, the 25-seat National Council, was held in December. | |
| Mass exodus | Mass exodus |
| The BBC's Chris Morris in Thimphu says people queued quietly in large numbers to vote. | |
| The capital was half-deserted, with many returning to their villages, he says. One report in a local newspaper told of a woman who walked a distance of 600km (370 miles) over two weeks to get home. | |
| Two Indian air force helicopters dropped election guidelines in mountainous regions and mules and horses carried voting equipment to ballot stations. | Two Indian air force helicopters dropped election guidelines in mountainous regions and mules and horses carried voting equipment to ballot stations. |
| But despite the activity a lot of people are not keen on democracy, and say they quite liked how things were before, our correspondent adds. | But despite the activity a lot of people are not keen on democracy, and say they quite liked how things were before, our correspondent adds. |
| The tiny Buddhist kingdom has been preparing for democracy since former monarch Jigme Singye Wangchuck decided to hand power to an elected government. | The tiny Buddhist kingdom has been preparing for democracy since former monarch Jigme Singye Wangchuck decided to hand power to an elected government. |
| 'Bit of corruption' | 'Bit of corruption' |
| The country is now headed by his 28-year-old son, King Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuck, who will remain as head of state and is likely to retain some influence. | The country is now headed by his 28-year-old son, King Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuck, who will remain as head of state and is likely to retain some influence. |
| "Everyone is very sad to see the king stand down," 42-year-old businessman Kinley Penjor told Reuters news agency. | "Everyone is very sad to see the king stand down," 42-year-old businessman Kinley Penjor told Reuters news agency. |
| "But I think democracy will be good. In the past if you went to a minister about your problems - well there is always a little bit of corruption, even in Bhutan, or it might be decided according to his mood. | "But I think democracy will be good. In the past if you went to a minister about your problems - well there is always a little bit of corruption, even in Bhutan, or it might be decided according to his mood. |
| "Now we can elect the best candidates." | "Now we can elect the best candidates." |
| The monarchy remains popular in Bhutan partly because of its focus on promoting what it calls "gross national happiness" - based on the idea that economic growth should be balanced by respect for traditions and the environment. | The monarchy remains popular in Bhutan partly because of its focus on promoting what it calls "gross national happiness" - based on the idea that economic growth should be balanced by respect for traditions and the environment. |
| Bhutan is not without problems. About one-fifth of the country lives in poverty and youth unemployment has risen sharply in recent years. | Bhutan is not without problems. About one-fifth of the country lives in poverty and youth unemployment has risen sharply in recent years. |
| Tens of thousands of ethnic Nepalis were forced to leave Bhutan in the early 1990s when the government imposed strict citizenship rules. | Tens of thousands of ethnic Nepalis were forced to leave Bhutan in the early 1990s when the government imposed strict citizenship rules. |
| The refugees are now living in neighbouring Nepal and many of them are demanding the right to return. | The refugees are now living in neighbouring Nepal and many of them are demanding the right to return. |