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Bhutanese vote in historic poll | Bhutanese vote in historic poll |
(about 4 hours later) | |
People in Bhutan have voted in elections that will bring an end to more than a century of royal rule. | People in Bhutan have voted 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. |
Election officials say the Bhutan Harmony Party, led by Jigmi Thinley, won a landslide victory. | |
The only two parties in the race had similar manifestos, promising less poverty and better infrastructure. | The only two parties in the race had similar manifestos, promising less poverty and better infrastructure. |
Election commissioner Kunzang Wangdi said unofficial results showed Harmony, or Druk Phuensum Tshogpa (DPT), had won 44 of the 47 seats. | |
Its leader Jigmi Thinley is a former prime minister, as is Sangay Ngedup, the leader of the other party - the People's Democratic Party (PDP). | |
Mr Ngedup is also the brother of the former king's four wives - all sisters. | |
An election for the upper house of parliament, the 25-seat National Council, was held in December. | 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 BBC's Chris Morris in Thimphu says people queued quietly in large numbers to vote. |
In pictures: Bhutan votes | |
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. |