Tibetan Exile Parliament Elections: A Global Democratic Showcase
Over 91,000 Tibetan voters across 27 countries cast their ballots to elect 45 members of the Tibetan Parliament in-exile, marking a significant democratic exercise in their struggle for a free homeland. This election embodies the aspirations and resilience of Tibetans against Chinese claims and misinformation.
On Sunday, more than 91,000 registered Tibetan voters from 27 different countries are participating in elections to select the members of the Tibetan Parliament in-exile. From a pool of 93 candidates, 45 will emerge victorious in this decisive phase. Notably, 40 percent of the candidates are first-time contenders.
According to Losang Yeshi, the Chief Election Commissioner of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA), this election represents the final phase following preliminary voting in February. For seven decades, Tibetans have pursued aspirations for their homeland's freedom. He emphasized that the CTA stands as a symbol of the Tibetan freedom struggle and the aspirations of seven million Tibetans. He further highlighted China's illegal occupation of Tibet, noting that the continuance of these elections serves as a powerful statement against Beijing's claims and propaganda.
In Dharamshala, voter Tenzin Dawa remarked on the importance of electing parliament members to represent both the voices of Tibetans inside Tibet and their struggle globally. Another voter, Tenzing Namdol, echoed these sentiments, stressing the freedom they enjoy in exile to elect their leaders, contrasting it with the lack of choice for those in Tibet. The five-year Tibetan parliament, convening twice a year, includes 45 members from varying regions and traditions, serving around 150,000 exiled Tibetans worldwide.
(With inputs from agencies.)
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