With Bhutan’s 3rd
calendar year of democracy, the
second phase of councillors’
election at the Paro College of
Education took place on 2nd
April, 2010. The first phase was
carried out at the end of last year.
“This second phase of the election
is in force to give equal
opportunities for the student
teachers who were out on teaching
practice in the 2nd term
last year, 2009,” said the SSU
(Student Service Unit) coordinator,
Ms. Dechen Tshomo.
The voter
turnout was 769 this year, 24 voters
more than in the first phase when
the college elected ten councillors,
five men and five women. This time,
the college needed four men and four
women to adequately help the Student
Body function effectively. The
college received about nineteen
nominees (8women, 11men) who were
either nominated by the class or
showed personal interest to serve
the college with their leadership
calibre. Unlike last year, a free
session for each class was
identified as voting time to avoid
calling off classes.
Prior to the
General Election, the SSU conducted
a Campaign Session where the
nominees introduced themselves and
expressed their commitments if they
were elected. Mr. Dawa Norbu (3MP)
volunteered and campaigned for this
post. To the surprise of all, he
secured 110 votes, the highest vote
of the proceedings. Ms. Deki Choden
(3BCH) topped the women’s by
securing 155 votes.
Now the college
is eighteen councillors strong.
Eight men and eight women will be
assigned the role of leading their
respective collaborative groups. Ms.
Choni Dema and Mr. Pema Samdrup were
declared Chief Councillors, as they
had the highest overall vote counts.
They are known to possess good
leadership qualities. The election
results were declared in the prime
presence of a large gathering,
including the Director, lecturers,
student teachers and the Dzongkhag
Election Officials.
The investiture
ceremony was conducted today, 5th
of April, in the Lecture Theatre.
The director of the college awarded
scarves to the newly elected
councillors, along with the office
files. The ceremony was attended by
the faculty members and the student
teachers.
Dawa & Sonam Dhendup
4IIPCA