With elections, democracy dawns in Bhutan

BHUTAN VOTES: Democracy has dawned on one of the world's smallest country.

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Thimphu: Democracy has dawned on one of the world's smallest countries as Bhutan went to elections on Monday. And in a surprise result, the king's uncle, Sangay Nedup, was defeated by a landslide by former prime minister Jigmi Thinley's party.

Many Bhutanese said they were heartbroken to leave behind a century of absolute royal rule. There are many people who still wished that the king still ruled.

It seems everyone is not happy with the king giving up power and almost everyone is unsure as to where democracy is going to take Bhutan. Yet, it's the king who wants Bhutan to vote and elect a government. And on Monday, one could see people coming out in numbers to take part in the historic first election.

In fact, there were many who were warming up to the idea of democracy. "I don't feel sad at all. Today we feel the pinch of demcoracy," a voter said.

Thimphu wore a deserted look over the past two days as many people returned to their villages to exercise their franchise. Electronic voting machines imported from India were delivered by yak in some of the remote pockets before the D-day.

Registered voters comprised more than half of Bhutan's total population of 600,000. Election officials said they were happy with the turnout, which could be as high as 70 per cent, but uncertain of the future.

"We are going with a sense of apprehension as to how it will turn out," Chief Election Commissioner Kunzang Wangdi said.

The choice is between the current king's uncle and one of his most trusted advisers. Both men have served as prime ministers under royal rule and promise to follow his majesty's vision.

Come what may, for now democracy will be tightly controlled and the political change will be gradual in the Himalayan Kingdom.