Thousands Nominated in Preliminary Assembly Polls
Tuesday, 8 November 2005, 4:02 PM

Dharamshala: A staggering 3740 people have been nominated by about 34,439 Tibetans in the preliminary elections of the Assembly of the Tibetan People's Deputies conducted across the globe last September.

Of these, 215 have been shortlisted for the final round of elections to be held in March 2006, the Election Commission of the Central Tibetan Administration declared this afternoon. [For complete listings of all the constituencies see Announcement.]

About 1709 people have been nominated in the constituency of Utsang alone, with 930 in Dotod, 414 in Domed, 528 in the five ecumenical constituencies and 159 in the two overseas constituencies.

An overwhelming majority of the total nominations comprise those with less than 50 votes.

Although most of the incumbent 43 deputies have bagged enough votes to secure a place in the shortlist, newcomers also top the charts.

Out of the present total 46 deputies, 43 are directly elected by the people, while three are nominated by His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

Those who top the charts of ecumenical constituencies are Tsering Phuntsok (1294 votes, Nyingma), Sonam Damdul (213, Kagyu), Pema Jungney (298, Sakya), Thupten Phelgyal (659, Gelug) and Tenzin Geleg (80, Bon).

In the three provincial constituencies, Tsetan Norbu (8406 votes, Utsang), Dolma Gyari (Dotod, 6272) and Pempa Tsering (Domed, 1038) have bagged the highest number of votes.

The leading contenders from the two other constituencies are Samdho Jampa Tsering (Europe, 175) and Tenzin Choedhen (North America, 412).

Some of the incumbent deputies like Chairman Pema Jungney have been voted overwhelmingly in two different constituencies.

It is learned that Mr. Jungney, who stood first in the constituency of Sakya and fifth in Utsang, choose to contest from the former constituency.

As in all previous elections, it is assumed that many ballots were invalid when votes were first counted by the local Election Commissions.

Moreover, a significant number of votes with inadequate identification, like surname, place of residence, or province, even when counted, are only as good as invalid.

Following are the top five or ten of all the constituencies:

1. Nyingma: Tsering Phuntsok, Bhutuk Gyari, Sonam Tenphel, Zokchen Pema Rigzin and Gyalsey Rinpoche.
2. Kagyu: Sonam Damdul, Karma Samten, Chimey Tsewang, Sherab Tharchen and Jampa Palden.
3. Sakya: Pema Jungney, Kunga Youten, Khenpo Choeying Dorjee, Gongri Tulku Karma Gyaltsen and Kadak Ngodup Sonam.
4. Gelug: Thupten Phelgyal, Beri Jigme Wangyal, Ghesur Dhakpa Sherab, Tsultrim Choephel and Geshe Tashi Dhondup.
5. Bon: Geshe Tenzin Geleg, Genchen Youdung Chemi, Geshe Youdung Gyaltsen, Geshe Monlam Tharchen and Gumur Tsering Wangyal.
6. Utsang: Tsetan Norbu, Dolma Tsering, Karma Yeshi, Ngawang Lhamo, Dawa Tsering, Tsering Dolma, Gyalnor Tsewang, Karma Chophel, Dawa Phunkey and Ugyen Tenzin.
7. Dotod: Dolma Gyari, Juchen Konchok Choedon, Tulku Ugyen Topgyal, Serta Tsultrim, Sonam Topgyal, Choekong Wangchuk, Tsultrim Tenzin, Ngawang Nyima Aacharya, Youdon Ukartsang and Bawa Kelsang Gyaltsen.
8. Domed: Pempa Tsering, Gyarong Dawa Tsering, Tenzin Gonpo, Hortsang Jigme, Dolkar Lhamo, Chabdak Lhamo Kyab, Tsering Youdon, Phelgye Dolma Tso, Tenzin Khedup and Mewo Gonpo Tso.
9. Europe: Samdho Jampa Tsering, Sonam Tsering Frasi, Gangshoentsang Ngawang, Sonam Phari, Sangling Tsering Dorjee and Moenkhar Sonam Phuntsok.
10. North America: Tenzin Choedhen, Lobsang Sangay, Kunga Thinley, Ngodup Tsering and Tsewang Ngodup.

For more information, read:

Election Frenzy Returns As Counting Ends Today

Musings on Election Day

Every Vote Does Not Count

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