Wheels in Motion: EC Sets October 2025 Start Date for 2026 Tibetan General Elections
By Tenzin Chokyi
DHARAMSALA, 13 Aug: The wheels are now in motion for the 2026 Tibetan general elections. The Election Commission (EC) under the Tibetan government in exile has announced that the formal election process will commence after October 1, 2025, when two additional Election Commissioners are sworn in, setting the stage for voting that will take place next year across the global Tibetan diaspora.
In its press release today, the EC stated that, in line with the Charter of the Tibetan Government in Exile, the electoral processes for both the Sikyong and Members of the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile (MTPiE) will begin on 1 October 2025, when the two Election Commissioners take their oath of office, although the EC did not explicitly confirm if the oath will be taken on that exact day. Detailed schedules for the preliminary and final election dates will be finalised and publicly announced thereafter.
“In accordance with this provision and following the established practice of beginning actual electoral processes from the day the two Election Commissioners take their oath of office, arrangements have been completed for the appointment and assumption of duties by two Election Commissioners starting from 1 October 2025”, the statement read.
The EC will also commence its official tours to educate the public about election rules and procedures beginning on 1 October.
It has urged the Tibetan public not to be influenced by widespread misinformation and rumours circulating in society regarding the elections.
With 1 October set as the anticipated starting point of the 2026 general elections, attention now shifts to the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile’s upcoming session in September, where the selection of two Additional Election Commissioners is expected to be a key agenda item.
The nomination of the two additional election commissioners is ideally carried out by a committee composed of the Chief Justice Commissioner, the Speaker and Deputy Speaker of Parliament, and the Sikyong. From a list of no fewer than four nominees, the Parliament shall elect two individuals by majority vote.
These appointments are critical, as the official electoral process cannot commence until both commissioners assume office.
In the absence of the Sikyong and other principal nominators, the Election Commission will appoint a three-member committee. This committee will then nominate at least four candidates, from whom Parliament will elect the two Additional Election Commissioners.
If the Parliament is not in session when the Additional Election Commissioners need to be selected, the Charter requires the 11-member Standing Committee of Parliament to approve the nominees put forward by the selection committee with at least a two-thirds majority.
