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Untitled Document
The Dharamsala-based Tibetan Election Commission today announced
the result of the bye-election for the legislative body in exile, declaring
Mr. Karma Yeshi winner from the U-Tsang constituency, and Mr. Chabdak Lhamo
Kyab and Mr. Tenzin Gonpo from the Amdo constituency.
The bye-election was held on July 2, following resignation
of three previously elected deputies.
Mr. Yeshi won 68.33 percent of the total votes cast from the
U-Tsang constituency, while Mr. Kyab and Mr. Gonpo won 69.01 percent and 53.26
percent respectively from the Amdo constituency.
They will soon take the oath of office of the Assembly of Tibetan
People's Deputies, a democratically elected legislature of the Tibetan exile
community.
The Assembly consists of a total of 46 members. Of them, 43
are elected directly by the Tibetan community in exile. Refugees belonging to
the three traditional provinces of Tibet, namely U-Tsang, Kham and Amdo, elect
ten representatives each. The ecclesiastical communities of the four schools
of Tibetan Buddhism and the traditional Bon faith elect two members each. Three
members are elected by the Tibetan communities in the west: two from Europe
and one from North America. In addition, three members with distinction in the
fields of art, science, literature and community service are nominated directly
by His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
Any Tibetan who has reached the age of 25 has the right to
contest elections to the Assembly. The elections are held every five years and
any Tibetan who has reached the age of 18 is entitled to vote.
Sessions of the Assembly are held twice every year, with an
interval of six months between the sessions.
In the case of national emergency, His Holiness can summon
special session.
When the Assembly is not in session, there is a standing committee
of twelve members: two members from each province, one from each religious denomination,
and one direct nominee.
As well as making laws for the Tibetan exile government, deputies
of the Assembly undertake periodic tours to Tibetan settlements to make an assessment
of their overall conditions. On their return, they bring to the notice of the
Administration any specific grievances and matters needing attention.
The Assembly was instituted in 1960 as part of His Holiness
the Dalai Lama's efforts to introduce a democratic system of administration.
Source: Phayul.com
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