Tibetan EC Probing Nepal Voting Irregularities, Urges Higher Turnout for Final Round
By Tenzin Chokyi
DHARAMSALA, March 18: The Election Commission (EC) of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) on Wednesday announced the shortlisted MP candidates for the final phase of the 2026 Tibetan General Election. The announcement was made at a press conference held at Lhakpa Tsering Hall in the Department of Information and International Relations.
Campaigning for the final round to elect the members of the 18th Tibetan Parliament in exile officially opened today and continues until 5:00 PM on 23 April. The EC emphasised that all campaign activities must cease two days before the election date, warning that any violation would constitute a breach of the election code of conduct. The EC also reiterated that organisations are not permitted to nominate or campaign for specific candidates, noting that such violations were observed during the first phase of the election.
Around 1,800 votes cast during the preliminary phase have been declared invalid and removed. The EC attributed this partly to the absence of a formal nomination process, which allows voters to cast ballots for individuals who may later withdraw or were not officially in contention. To address this issue, the Commission stressed the need for a standardised nomination system, which would enable candidate names to be announced in advance, helping to reduce invalid votes and minimise voter confusion.
The EC expressed concern over the low voter turnout in the preliminary election and urged greater public participation in the final round, with particular emphasis on youth engagement. Of the 91,042 registered voters, only 51,140 cast their ballots, highlighting the extend of the low turnout. Participation among university students remained particularly low, despite high expectations of younger generations.
Acknowledging seasonal challenges, the Commission noted that the election period coincides with the winter months, when many Tibetans are engaged in seasonal livelihood activities, including the sweater trade. It added that any future changes to the election schedule would require broader consensus. Chief EC Lobsang Yeshi expressed hope that the final round on 26 April will see improved participation due to more favourable weather and the return of Tibetans to their respective settlements.
The Commission also addressed concerns brought to its attention regarding some of its decisions made during the election process. It urged the public to follow its full announcements through official media channels to avoid misunderstandings or misinterpretations. The EC emphasised that it can only act within its jurisdiction and affirmed that all decisions are made in accordance with established rules and regulations.
The EC confirmed that an investigation into the voting process in Nepal is currently underway, following complaints supported by valid evidence. More information and updates will be provided once the investigation is complete.
A total of 93 candidates will contest the final election, scheduled for April 26, twenty members each from U-Tsang and Do-med, 21from Do-tod – the three traditional provinces of Tibet ; four members each from the four schools of Tibetan Buddhism and the traditional Bon tradition ; five members each from Europe and North America ; and two candidates representing Tibetans in Asia and Australasia (excluding India, Nepal, and Bhutan).
