GOVERNMENT AND POLITICAL SYSTEM OF BHUTAN
Since 2008 the government of Bhutan has been a Constitutional Monarchy. The process of democratization was started way back in 1953 with the establishment of National Assembly by the third King His Majesty Jigme Dorji Wangchuck. The fourth king His Majesty Sigme Singye Wangchuck continued this process by establishing Dzongkhag Yargey Tshokdey (district development committee) in 1981 and Gewog Yargey Tshokchung (block development committee) in 1991 thus decentralizing the power. These forums gave people opportunity to participate in the decision making of developmental activities that directly impacted them. In 1998, His Majesty Jigme Singye Wangchuck devolved his power to Council of Ministers. The Ministers took turns annually to be the Prime Minister. Later in 2001, His Majesty commanded drafting of the constitution with representatives from all walks of live. Finally in 2008 the first elected government was ushered into power. The Prime Minister became the head of the government and king is the head of the state. Unlike in other countries, the whole process of democratization was pushed for by the Monarchs of Bhutan.
His Majesty the King is the head of the state. Bhutan is the only country in the world where the constitution requires a hereditary monarch to retire at the age of 65. The king can also be removed by two-third majority vote by the parliament followed by a national referendum which must pass by a simple majority in all the 20 districts.
His Holiness the Je Khenpo is the head of the Religious institution called Zhung Dratsang (central monastic body). The Election Law of Kingdom of Bhutan places religion above political affairs and hence prohibits monks, nuns, lay monks and other religious practitioners registered with any religious institution from voting.
The Prime Minister, who is selected from the winning party candidates, is the head of the government. The government of Bhutan is supported by three independent branches namely the executive, legislative and judiciary.
The Executive power is vested in LHENGYE ZHUNGTSHOG or Council of ministers and it is headed by the Prime Minister. The legislative power is vested in bicameral Parliament and His Majesty the King. The Upper house or house of review is called the National Council and it is an apolitical institution. The Lower House is called the National Assembly and it is formed by two popular political parties. National council has 25 members of which 20 are elected representatives of 20 districts and 5 are the eminent members nominated by the King. National Assembly has 47 elected members representing 47 constituencies. The election to the National Assembly is held at two levels – the primary and General level. At the primary level all the political parties registered with the Election Commission of Bhutan will go for elections fielding 47 members each. The two top winning parties qualify to General round. Some unique features of Bhutan’s National Assembly Elections is that it does not allow coalition government and candidates will have to have minimum education qualification of Bachelor’s Degree. The winning part in the General Elections forms the ruling government and the losing party becomes the opposition. As of date Bhutan has four registered political parties namely Druk Phuensum Tshokpa, People’s Democratic Party, Druk Nymrup Tshogkpa and Bhutan Kuen Nyam Party.
The Judiciary authority is vested in the Royal Court of Justice. The Royal Court of Judiciary comprises the Supreme Court, the High Court, the District Court, the Dungkhag court and other courts and tribunals as may be established from time to time by His Majesty the King upon recommendation from the National Judicial Commission.
Bhutan has 20 districts called dzongkhags. Thimphu city located in Thimphu district is its capital city. All the Headquarters of Ministries, Autonomus Agencies, Armed forces and Corporate sector are located in Thimphu.
Since 2008 the government of Bhutan has been a Constitutional Monarchy. The process of democratization was started way back in 1953 with the establishment of National Assembly by the third King His Majesty Jigme Dorji Wangchuck. The fourth king His Majesty Sigme Singye Wangchuck continued this process by establishing Dzongkhag Yargey Tshokdey (district development committee) in 1981 and Gewog Yargey Tshokchung (block development committee) in 1991 thus decentralizing the power. These forums gave people opportunity to participate in the decision making of developmental activities that directly impacted them. In 1998, His Majesty Jigme Singye Wangchuck devolved his power to Council of Ministers. The Ministers took turns annually to be the Prime Minister. Later in 2001, His Majesty commanded drafting of the constitution with representatives from all walks of live. Finally in 2008 the first elected government was ushered into power. The Prime Minister became the head of the government and king is the head of the state. Unlike in other countries, the whole process of democratization was pushed for by the Monarchs of Bhutan.
His Majesty the King is the head of the state. Bhutan is the only country in the world where the constitution requires a hereditary monarch to retire at the age of 65. The king can also be removed by two-third majority vote by the parliament followed by a national referendum which must pass by a simple majority in all the 20 districts.
His Holiness the Je Khenpo is the head of the Religious institution called Zhung Dratsang (central monastic body). The Election Law of Kingdom of Bhutan places religion above political affairs and hence prohibits monks, nuns, lay monks and other religious practitioners registered with any religious institution from voting.
The Prime Minister, who is selected from the winning party candidates, is the head of the government. The government of Bhutan is supported by three independent branches namely the executive, legislative and judiciary.
The Executive power is vested in LHENGYE ZHUNGTSHOG or Council of ministers and it is headed by the Prime Minister. The legislative power is vested in bicameral Parliament and His Majesty the King. The Upper house or house of review is called the National Council and it is an apolitical institution. The Lower House is called the National Assembly and it is formed by two popular political parties. National council has 25 members of which 20 are elected representatives of 20 districts and 5 are the eminent members nominated by the King. National Assembly has 47 elected members representing 47 constituencies. The election to the National Assembly is held at two levels – the primary and General level. At the primary level all the political parties registered with the Election Commission of Bhutan will go for elections fielding 47 members each. The two top winning parties qualify to General round. Some unique features of Bhutan’s National Assembly Elections is that it does not allow coalition government and candidates will have to have minimum education qualification of Bachelor’s Degree. The winning part in the General Elections forms the ruling government and the losing party becomes the opposition. As of date Bhutan has four registered political parties namely Druk Phuensum Tshokpa, People’s Democratic Party, Druk Nymrup Tshogkpa and Bhutan Kuen Nyam Party.
The Judiciary authority is vested in the Royal Court of Justice. The Royal Court of Judiciary comprises the Supreme Court, the High Court, the District Court, the Dungkhag court and other courts and tribunals as may be established from time to time by His Majesty the King upon recommendation from the National Judicial Commission.
Bhutan has 20 districts called dzongkhags. Thimphu city located in Thimphu district is its capital city. All the Headquarters of Ministries, Autonomus Agencies, Armed forces and Corporate sector are located in Thimphu.