Tibetans Head to Polls for Final Round of Tibetan Parliament Election
By Tenzin Chokyi
DHARAMSALA, 26 April: Tibetans across the world cast their votes in the final phase of elections today to elect members of the 18th Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile. This crucial exercise will shape the direction and character of the Tibetan parliament over the next five years. In Dharamsala – the exile residence of Tibetan spiritual leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the seat of the Tibetan government-in-exile (officially known as the Central Tibetan Administration) – exiled Tibetans turned out in large numbers across six polling stations to elect their representatives to parliament.
A total of 93 candidates are contesting, having been shortlisted in the preliminary elections held on 1 February. These include 20 candidates from each of the three traditional provinces; four candidates from each of the five major religious traditions; four candidates each from the Europe & Africa and North & South America constituencies; and two candidates from Australasia. The slate also includes three independent candidates, one each from the Dotoe, Europe and Africa, and North and South America constituencies.
Chief Election Commissioner Lobsang Yeshi, addressing the media, underscored the significance of the elections to the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile. He noted that the institution plays a vital role in strengthening the foundations of the exile’s democratic system and in guiding the broader Tibetan struggle for freedom in the face of China’s continued colonial rule.
Responding to China’s recent criticism questioning the legitimacy of the Tibetan government-in-exile—based on what he described as a reductionist reading of the low voter turnout in the preliminary elections—Yeshi said the exile democratic system has endured and remained resilient for over five decades since China’s colonial occupation of Tibet, despite the mounting challenges faced by a stateless community such as the exile Tibetan polity.
He added that it is ironic for China to critique the exile administration, noting that democratic values are not meaningfully practised within its own system, including the National People’s Congress, let alone across the country as a whole. He further challenged China to hold a referendum in occupied Tibet before criticising the exile administration, arguing that such a vote would offer a clear answer to questions of legitimacy.
Yeshi also stressed the need to consider the socioeconomic realities of refugee Tibetans in India. Many rely on seasonal winter businesses for their livelihoods, which often require them to travel away from their respective settlements. In this context, he argued, lower turnout in the preliminary election cannot reasonably be used to question the legitimacy of the Tibetan government-in-exile.
Echoing this view, Kunchok Migmar, the Tibetan Settlement Officer of Dharamsala and also head of the local election commission, said that polling stations are witnessing higher public participation compared to the preliminary round. He attributed the increase to the conclusion of winter business activities and the return of Tibetans to their settlements.
Tenzin Norsang, a voter at the Tsuklhakhang polling station in McLeod Ganj, said that sustaining a democratic system in exile is a remarkable achievement, especially at a time of rising authoritarianism around the world. He expressed hope that Tibetans will one day return to Tibet, bringing with them the democratic values and institutions they have steadily built over the years in exile.
Norsang added that he expects his elected representatives to boldly question the cabinet, introduce resolutions for meaningful change within the Tibetan community, and effectively represent and lead the broader Tibetan freedom struggle.
The 2026 Tibetan general election for the 18th Tibetan Parliament was held across 27 regions worldwide, in accordance with their respective time zones. The preliminary election saw a voter turnout of 51,140 out of a total of 91,042 registered voters.
