Bhutan’s final round amidst National Election

Bhutan held the last round of national parliamentary elections on January 9, 2024. This was a historic occasion because it resulted in the election of the nation’s fourth government since democratisation 15 years earlier.

Economic growth was the main topic of discussion during these elections, as it has become increasingly important in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and its aftereffects on the country’s economy.

With a population of less than 800,000, the Himalayan nation is well-known for its innovative Gross National Happiness (GNH) rating, which evaluates success not only in terms of economic output but also in terms of leisure and mental health. Despite this all-encompassing approach to development, the country still has serious economic difficulties, such as a dearth of economic diversification, high rates of unemployment, particularly for young people, and a reliance on aid and tourism, both of which have had difficulty recovering since the pandemic.

Nearly 500,000 voters could choose from 94 candidates when they went to the polls, representing the two major political parties, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and the Bhutan Tendrel Party (BTP).