THIMPHU, March 20 (Xinhua) -- One more political party is set to join Bhutan's third parliamentary elections due in mid-2018.
The new party that goes by the name, Druk Gaki Tshogpa (Bhutan Happiness Party), is yet to be officially registered with the Election Commission of Bhutan.
Founder of the new party, who was a civil engineer by profession, runs a private firm in the capital Thimphu, and claimed on the national TV that the party will be different from existing political parties in the country.
The new party would register once it managed to draft the party charter and get candidates from across the Himalayan country.
When democracy was established in 2008, there were just two political parties, Druk Phuensum tshogpa (DPT) and People's Democratic Party (PDP). The DPT party won the first general election with a majority.
The second election in 2013 however saw five political parties including two parties that were founded by female leaders, however, only the two former parties managed to pass the preliminary election. The current government led by the ruling PDP won the polls.
To ensure fair election in 2018, the Election Commission has notified people to refrain from planning public gatherings. In Bhutan religion is separated from politics, and monks and nuns were not allowed to vote.
Electoral officials have confirmed that the elections for National Council (Upper House) is likely to take place between February and May next year, while the lower house election might happen in August.
Bhutan has completed the second round of local government elections in September 2016. The local governments play a vital role in rural developments and maintaining peace, happiness and stability in the small nation.
