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Bhutanese monks protest ban against voting and running for office
AsiaNews/Agencies, July 21, 2007
Monks are to “remain above politics” according to the Constitution. Some monks agree; others view the ban as contrary to the country’s ‘reformist spirit.
Thimphu, Bhutan -- Some Buddhist monks have expressed their opposition to the country’s electoral law which makes them ineligible to vote or run for office. At the end of the year the Bhutanese will be called to choose their own representatives in their first parliamentary elections.
Former King Wangchuk is behind the ongoing process of democratization. Through a series of political reforms he introduced, his kingdom is becoming a constitutional monarchy. The steps taken so far are: abdication in favour of his Jigme Khesar Namgye; the drafting of a constitution; elections to a bicameral parliament.
However, the exclusion of monks from the political process is for some of them “contrary to the reformist spirit announced by the king.” Others instead back the decision saying that “it is correct to the extent that in the Buddhist tradition spiritual leaders should not handle political issues.”
Elections to the National Council (Upper House) will be held later this, whilst elections to the National Assembly (Lower House) are scheduled for next year.