About 390 thousand eligible to vote out of a population of 750 thousand inhabitants. Four parties in the race, two of which are led by women. For the first time the candidates have campaigned from village to village.

Thimphu (AsiaNews / Agencies) - Campaigning is underway in Bhutan ahead of  Parliamentary elections. It will be the second national vote in the country's history, world famous for its "GDP of happiness." About 390 thousand people are eligible to vote out of a population of 750 thousand inhabitants, mostly residents in mountain villages over 4 thousand meters. The figure is higher than that of last year, where thousands of people were unable to vote because they are unable to reach polling station.

For the first time politicians have carried out a real village to village election campaign, addressing topics such as economics, education, infrastructure. The country, thanks to the flourishing to tourism and mining industry promoted by King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck is experiencing a small economic boom. However, none of the candidates mentioned the great problem of the more than 850 thousand ethnic Nepalese refugees expelled from the country in the 1990s and still forced to live like 'prisoners' in camps on the border with Nepal. Another "taboo" theme for these elections are the anti-conversion laws, enacted in 2010, which prevent the population, 90% Buddhist, to change religion.

This year, at least 50 thousand people have sent their vote by post to the capital Thimphu. On this occasion four parties are competing, in 2008, there were only two. They are: the Druk Nymrub Tshogpa (DNT) the Druck Chirwang Tshogpa (DCT), both led by women, the Druk Phuensum Tshogpa (DPT) current ruling party, and the People's Democratic Party (PDP), which for years has been the 'only opposition movement. The parties in formations that take the most votes will face off in the final voting of July 13, which will be awarded the 47 seats in Parliament.

Since 2006 the Bhutanese government has begun to promote formal democracy after centuries of absolute monarchy that prohibited the practice of religions other than Buddhism. Launched in 2008, the new Constitution provides - at least in an official capacity - religious freedom for all Bhutanese, after reporting to the competent authorities. In recent years some Hindu temples have also been built. However, even today Christians cannot build churches and celebrate Mass in public.

 

• BHUTAN
• elections
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• democracy
• religious
• freedom