Kaydor congratulates Sikyong elect Penpa Tsering 

DHARAMSALA, 14 May: Kelsang Dorjee Aukatsang(Kaydor) has congratulated former Speaker Penpa Tsering on his election as the next Sikyong(President) of the Tibetan People. 

“I congratulate Mr Penpa Tsering, the Sikyong-elect, and wish him the best as he assumes the Sikyong office at a time when we are confronted with rising challenges and undergoing profound changes. I wish him good health, fortitude, and success,”  Kaydor said in a statement he issued.

The EC officially declared Penpa Tsering as the President of the CTA today as it announced the official result of the final Tibetan election for Sikyong (President) of the Central Tibetan Administration(CTA) and members of the 17th Tibetan Parliament-in-exile (TPIE). 

Kaydor, the former representative to North America lost the final election to the former Speaker by 5,417 votes has said that 

He further stated in his concluding election message that “being one of the two finalists for the 2021 Sikyong Elections will remain a great honor of my life,”  and that he is proud of the quality of the campaign he ran. 

“I want to thank everyone who believed in me and supported my candidacy. I’m deeply grateful for your trust and support,” he added.

He further called for reforms to “electoral rules” and “a minimum of 30-45 days for campaigning in the final elections, while urging the parliament to  and at least two rounds of debates between the final Sikyong candidates.” 

“The recent elections brought to surface some of the challenges that impede the growth of Tibetan democracy. I request the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile to amend the electoral regulations and add provisions that require the TEC to provide a minimum of 30-45 days for campaigning in the final elections, and at least two rounds of debates between the final Sikyong candidates.”

While the duration of the Tibetan general was shortened after the Parliament amended the election rules in 2018, it is noteworthy that Kelsang Dorjee Aukatsang and Penpa Tsering did not sit for a single debate.

While at it, Tashi Wangdue who dropped out of the race cited “the absence of the platform to hold extensive debates among the candidates,” as one of the reasons that forced him to make the decision.

Kaydor further alleged that the “election process was rocked and impacted by last-minute political developments in Dharamsala with the impeachment of the three Commissioners of the Tibetan Supreme Justice Commission (TSJC) by the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile (Parliament).” 

He stated that “serious flaws in the Charter of Tibetans-in-Exile (Charter)” lies at the root of it.

 “The separation of roles and responsibilities of the judiciary, and legislative and executive branches need further refinement. The lack of clarity enables different and often contradictory interpretations of some of the articles. The new Parliament must set up a process and a team for revising and strengthening the Charter. “     

Let us work together to strengthen Tibetan democracy and not allow the bumps along the way to divide us. Most importantly, we must prioritize strengthening the Tibetan freedom movement and getting our younger generation more involved. I remain steadfast in my commitment to continue serving the Tibetan cause. May we soon see the day when His Holiness the Dalai Lama returns home, and that all Tibetans are reunited in a free Tibet. 

“The election was rampant with misinformation and fake news,” Kaydor said as he pointed towards a “lack of a strong and independent media” while calling for strengthening the management and capacity of the Tibetan Election Commission.

He concluded by urging everyone to accept the election results and work together to strengthen Tibetan democracy and the Tibetan freedom movement. 

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *