Incumbent Dasa TSO Kunchok Migmar to be re-elected unopposed?
By Tenzin Chokyi
DHARAMSALA, 20 May: Exiled Tibetans residing in Dharamsala voted for their next Tibetan Settlement Officer (TSO) in the preliminary election today, at thirteen polling stations in the jurisdiction of the Dharamsala Tibetan settlement.
However, with no clarity over who is running for the office apart from the incumbent TSO Kunchok Migmar, it appears likely that he is set to serve in the office for a second term uncontested this year, with no opposing nominee.
According to Article 78, Clause 1(c) of the electoral rules and regulations of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA), also known as the Tibetan government in exile, if a lone candidate garners not less than 51% of the votes in the preliminary election, the candidate shall be declared as winner by uncontested.
Should the candidate fail to secure at least 51% of the total votes cast, a re-election will be held.
The results of the preliminary round of the election for Dharamsala’s TSO will be announced tomorrow by around 4 p.m., an official on election duty said.
Migmar was first elected as the TSO in 2022 with 1,148 votes—459 more than the runners-up.
When asked why he chose to re-run for the office, he reflected on his accomplishments despite the constraints faced by an exile administration. “My time in office has allowed me to serve at my fullest potential, with tangible results over these past three years”, he said.
He emphasised that his motivation stems from “a desire to leverage the valuable networks and relationships he’s cultivated during his term to enhance community welfare initiatives.”
Migmar acknowledged that land rights disputes and road infrastructure remain significant ongoing challenges for Tibetans in Dharamsala. He noted that these critical issues should not be treated as empty campaign promises to attract voters, but rather require a persistent, long-term commitment from the administration, regardless of who holds office.
While the Charter of Tibetans in Exile mandates that elections be conducted to appoint Tibetan Settlement Officers across all Tibetan settlements in India, this democratic practice is currently limited to Dharamsala, Bir Dege, Poanta Cholsum, Ladakh and Choejor (Boudha and Jorpati) Tibetan settlements.
In all other settlements, the CTA directly appoints settlement officers, as holding elections in these locations has not been feasible due to various factors.
Tibetans living in the Dharamsala jurisdiction, which extends from Upper TCV to Gopalpur, who have been paying voluntary contributions through the green book to the CTA in Dharamsala for at least five consecutive years in McLeod Ganj, are eligible to vote in this election.
