Bhutan Election 

An Historic Day for Bhutan and a Proud day for Dr Grahams Homes

On March 23, Bhutanese citizens went to the polls to to hold their first Parliamentary Elections, The Homes and OGBs should be very proud that the two candidates for Prime Minister are both OGBs. Jigmi Thinley (Batch of 1970 and School Captain, Heathland Cottage and Willingdon Hostel - he gave the keynote speech at the 2005 Homes Birthday celebrations) is the head of the Bhutan Harmony Party (DPT - Druk Phuensum Tshogpa); and Sangay (Dorje) Ngedup (batch of 1971, Laidlaw Cottage and Willingdon Hostel) is the head of The People's Democratic Party (PDP).

The Druk Phuensum Tshogpa (DPT), or Bhutan United Party, won a landslide victory in the parliamentary polls in a pledge to boost development and happiness. The DPT, led by Jigmi Thinley, won 44 of 47 seats for the lower house in a vote which was proposed by Bhutan's royals to transform the country into a constitutional monarchy. The People's Democratic Party led by Sangay Ngedup, the present king's uncle, won just three of 47 seats.

Both parties are staunchly loyal to the royal family and both promised to stick with Gross National Happiness to measure growth. Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, the Bhutanese king, is expected to retain a strong influence in running the country.