As the official announcement for the preliminary round of elections in exile Tibetan community was made, Penpa Tsering came out with largest number of votes. Along with the announcement for the results of Sikyong elections, the results for the elections for Members of Tibetan Parliament in Exile was declared. The official list of finalists will be declared on March 21.
Chief Election Commissioner Wangdu Tsering, and additional commissioners, Geshema Delek Wangmo and Sonam Gyaltsen, the Election Commission on Tuesday addressed in a press briefing announcing the final results of the preliminary round of election for the Sikyong and members of the 17th Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile.
Former Speaker of Tibetan Parliament in Exile, Penpa Tsering was emerged as the frontrunner (23762) of Sikyong, the President of Central Tibetan Administration in Dharamshala, in the preliminary round of General Elections while Kelsang Dorjee Aukatsang emerged in the second spot(14031) while Gyari Dolma was declared to have secured the third spot(13171).
Apart from that, the Election Commission declared 30 shortlisted parliament candidates with most votes each from the three traditional provinces of Tibet, 6 candidates each from four schools of Tibetan Buddhism and Bon religion, 6 from North & South America, and Europe & Africa. 3 candidates are shortlisted from Australasia (excluding India, Nepal, and Bhutan).
According to the Chief Election Commissioner, the preliminary election in January saw a record voter turnout of 76.78 per cent, which he said was the highest turnout rate till date. Tibetans from 26 countries went to the polls through the facilitation of 57 local Election Commissions around the world. The final round of elections will be held on April 11 later this year.