Bhutan establishes an interim government, ready for the upcoming national election
Bhutan's king appointed a nine-member interim government on Wednesday to oversee the forthcoming parliamentary election, which is scheduled to take place within three months, as per an official statement from the palace.
This upcoming election will mark the fourth free vote since Bhutan embraced democracy in 2008. Bhutan, a nation with a population of fewer than 800,000 people, is situated between China and India.
Reuters report shows the interim government, led by Chief Justice Chogyal Dago Rigdzin, will work to facilitate the election commission in ensuring a free and fair electoral process, as announced in a statement posted on King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck's official Facebook page.
Earlier in the day, outgoing Prime Minister Lotay Tshering, who leads the governing Druk Nyamrup Tshogpa party, conducted the final meeting of his cabinet and emphasized that his government had successfully completed its five-year term "without any fear or favor."
Bhutan dissolved its 47-member National Assembly, the lower house of parliament, at the end of its five-year term earlier this week.
Analysts anticipate that the election commission will establish the voting dates, with five parties expected to compete, leading to the formation of a new government within 90 days.
