South Asia » Bhutan
Sunday, December 18, 2005
Bhutan king to abdicate in 2008, general elections to be held
Indo-Asian News Service
New Delhi, December 18, 2005
Bhutan King Jigme Singye Wangchuk has announced he will abdicate the throne in 2008 in favour of his son and that polls to choose the Buddhist kingdom's first elected government will be held the same year.
The 50-year-old king announced in his National Day address on Saturday that he would delegate his responsibilities to Crown Prince Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuk, 25, even before his enthronement in 2008 so that he could gain experience.
At the same time, the king said Bhutan's Election Commission would educate the people over the next two years "in the process of parliamentary democracy" through electoral practice sessions to be held across the nation.
"I would like our people to know that the first national election to elect a government under a system of parliamentary democracy will take place in 2008," he said.
"After 26 years of the process of decentralisation and devolution of powers to the people, I have every confidence that our people will be able to choose the best political party that can provide good governance and serve the interest of the nation."
The king also spoke about his plan to elevate his Oxford-educated son to the throne at Trashi Yangtse village, 900 km east of capital Thimpu and bordering China, late on Saturday.
He said: "I am going to hand over responsibility to the crown prince in 2008. I want my countrymen to know this. The country will progress and become strong under his rule."
The king's announcement took people in this kingdom with a population of over 600,000 by surprise as they had not expected a formal announcement so soon.
Wangchuk was visiting different parts of Bhutan to drum up support for the move to democracy. He had announced last month that the monarchical system was flawed and the best option for the people would be to opt for parliamentary democracy.
Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuk assumed the position of Crown Prince Oct 21, 2004.
Born Feb 21, 1980, the prince completed early schooling in Bhutan. He later graduated from the Cushing Academy and Wheaton College in the US. In 2000, he continued his further education at Magdalen College, Oxford University.
The prince completed the Foreign Service Programme and an MPhil programme in politics at Oxford University.
The prince has travelled extensively with his father and played an active role in framing Bhutan's annual development plans. In August 2001, the prince made his first official visit abroad to India.
In May 2002, he represented Bhutan at the UN General Assembly during the "UN special session for children". The prince is an avid sportsman, taking active part in archery and basketball tournaments.
But the people of Bhutan say they are not ready for democracy and want the king - who has been in power since 1972 and became the kingdom's fourth monarch at the age of 17 - to stay on.
Bhutan earlier this year unveiled a 34-point constitution, which is being sent to its citizens for their views. The proposed constitution specifies the role of the monarchy, the clergy and the duties and responsibilities of the people.
It is expected to be ratified by the year end after a referendum. Once adopted, the constitution will swap a royal decree of 1953 giving the monarchy absolute power and alter Bhutan into a two-party parliamentary democracy.
© HT Media Ltd. 2005.