For the first time in Bhutan’s democratic history, an opposition member has been elected Speaker of the National Assembly. Bhutan Tendrel Party’s Tempa Dorji, who represents the Maenbi-Tsaenkhar constituency in Lhuntse, defeated the ruling People’s Democratic Party’s candidate, Tandin Wangchuk, in today’s election. The outcome breaks with the precedent of the past three parliamentary terms, in which the Speaker was elected from the ruling party.
58-year-old Speaker-elect Tempa Dorji from Maenbi-Tsaenkhar constituency secured 24 votes against Tandin Wangchuk, who received 23 votes.
The outcome is significant because the National Assembly currently comprises 31 members from the ruling People’s Democratic Party and 16 members from the opposition Bhutan Tendrel Party.
The election was held following the resignation of former Speaker Lungten Dorji.
“We did not expect to be elected. This is a mandatory procedure in democratic governance, and we must abide by it. The National Assembly is a place where we must set an example. We never expected this result. Now that I have been elected Speaker, I am mindful of the responsibility that comes with it,” said the Speaker-elect.Tempa Dorji has served as a Member of Parliament in the National Assembly since 2024. Before this, he served two terms in the National Council from 2013 to 2023.
Before entering politics, he worked with the Bhutan Power Corporation for more than two decades.
“Those who cast their votes had faith in me and believed that I could serve with the experience I gained. They know where I have worked before, and I believe that is why they supported me. There is not much difference between the two parties. From the day we were elected, our main goal has been to serve the “Tsa Wa Sum” and support the visions of our elders. Serving the people is everyone’s responsibility. People should understand that when we say parliament, there is no distinction between the ruling and opposition parties.”
Article 12, Section 3 of the Constitution states that the National Assembly shall elect a Speaker from among its members. It does not prescribe that the Speaker must come from either the ruling party or the opposition, leaving the decision to the members of the House.
Meanwhile, according to the PDP’s Spokesperson, Health Minister Tandin Wangchuk has not formally submitted resignation from the Ministerial post. The party will convene a meeting to discuss the matter following his contest for the Speaker’s post this morning.
The government also has two other ministerial positions to fill after the Home Minister and Energy and Natural Resources Minister voluntarily stepped down from their posts last week.