Bhutan stages dress rehearsal for democratic vote

Thimpu, Apr 21: The tiny Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan takes a big step towards democracy and ending a century of royal rule when it stages a ''mock election'' today.

The poll, with dummy parties and imaginary manifestos, is meant as a dress rehearsal for the real thing next year, in a country which lived in a mediaeval world a generation ago.

Former King Jigme Singye Wangchuck decided to hand power of the mainly Buddhist country to an elected government, against the will of his advisers and many subjects, before passing his crown to his 26-year-old Oxford-educated son last year.

''It was not on account of any external or internal pressure, there was no power struggle of any kind,'' said Prime Minister Khandu Wangchuk.

As recently as the 1960, Bhutan had no roads and practically no schools or hospitals. Today education and healthcare are free, and life expectancy has risen to 66 years, from less than 40, a fact most people attribute to the monarch's rule.

But, with conflicts in Bangladesh, Nepal and India, many Bhutanese worry democracy may lead to corruption and strife.

''We live in a very unstable region,'' said Gopilal Acharya, the 28-year-old editor of the Bhutan Times, a private newspaper launched last year as part of moves towards free press.

''In some of our neighbours democracy has not really worked, so people are a bit sceptical whether it will work in Bhutan.'' Four mock parties are contesting the vote and have been given imaginary platforms stressing fairness and accountability, the environment, industrial development and traditional values.

A 2006 study by a British scientist ranked Bhutan the eighth happiest country in the world, just behind Sweden, despite its having an average national income of just 740 dollars.

But human rights group have criticised Thimpu for abuses, including its deporting tens of thousands of ethnic Nepalis, mostly Hindus, from south Bhutan after they protested against discrimination -- and for democracy -- in 1990.

Bhutan says most were illegal immigrants. But the refugees, now living in camps in Nepal, say they had lived in Bhutan for generations and are victims of ethnic cleansing.

''Those who fought for democracy have been driven away,'' said an ex-soldier of Nepali origin refused to give his name. ''If the Bhutanese government really wanted to give democracy, those people should be allowed to come back and vote.'' As for real political parties, only two have been formed, disappointing those who had hoped for real debate ahead of next year's elections. One, likely to be led by Wangchuck's brother- in-law, Sangay Ngedup, is strongly tipped to take power.

Reuters