2013 National Assembly Elections

The 2013 Bhutanese National Assembly election, held on 13 July 2013, was the second general election in Bhutan's democratic history. It produced a stunning reversal of the 2008 results, with the People's Democratic Party (PDP) winning 32 of 47 seats and unseating the ruling Druk Phuensum Tshogpa (DPT), which was reduced to 15 seats. PDP leader Tshering Tobgay became Prime Minister, replacing Jigme Thinley. The election demonstrated that Bhutan's young democracy was capable of producing a peaceful transfer of power through the ballot box.^[1]

The scale of the PDP victory was unexpected. The DPT had entered the election as the dominant party, holding 45 of 47 seats and boasting a record of governance that included significant infrastructure development and diplomatic achievements. However, a combination of economic difficulties, controversial foreign policy decisions, and voter desire for change produced one of the most dramatic electoral swings in any parliamentary democracy.^[2]

Background

The DPT government of Jigme Thinley had faced mounting criticism in the years preceding the election. A severe rupee shortage beginning in 2012 had disrupted imports from India, causing shortages of fuel, construction materials, and consumer goods. The crisis exposed Bhutan's heavy economic dependence on India and the vulnerabilities of its import-driven development model. Many voters blamed the government for inadequate economic management.^[3]

Foreign policy also became a contentious issue. Prime Minister Thinley had pursued a more independent foreign policy, including a highly publicised meeting with Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao on the sidelines of the Rio+20 summit in June 2012. India, which had historically maintained a dominant influence over Bhutan's external relations, was reportedly displeased by these overtures. In the weeks before the election, India withdrew subsidies on cooking gas and kerosene exports to Bhutan, a move widely interpreted as an expression of displeasure with the DPT government. This action significantly impacted ordinary Bhutanese and was seen as favouring the PDP, which advocated a closer relationship with India.^[4]

Primary Round

The 2013 election was the first to employ the full two-round system, as four parties contested the primary round held on 31 May 2013. The PDP, DPT, the Druk Nyamrup Tshogpa (DNT), and the newly formed Druk Chirwang Tshogpa (DCT) participated. The PDP topped the primary round with approximately 44% of the vote, while the DPT secured approximately 32.5%, the DNT received approximately 17%, and the DCT received approximately 5.9%. The PDP and DPT thus advanced to the general election, and the DNT and DCT were eliminated.^[5]

The primary round results suggested strong anti-incumbency sentiment, as the PDP topped the vote and the DPT was pushed to second place. Analysts noted that the combined opposition vote significantly exceeded the DPT's total, indicating a strong desire for change among a majority of voters. The question was whether supporters of the eliminated parties would consolidate behind the PDP in the general round.^[6]

Campaign

The PDP ran a campaign focused on economic management, fiscal responsibility, and the restoration of strong relations with India. Tshering Tobgay, a former opposition leader who had served as one of only two PDP parliamentarians since 2008, positioned himself as a reformer who would address corruption, reduce government waste, and prioritise the needs of ordinary citizens. His campaign style was notably direct and populist by Bhutanese standards, and he used social media effectively to reach younger voters.^[7]

The DPT campaigned on its record of infrastructure development, including road construction and rural electrification, and warned that a change of government would disrupt ongoing projects. However, the party's messaging was undermined by the economic difficulties and the perception that its leadership had become distant from ordinary citizens' concerns.^[8]

Results

The general election on 13 July 2013 produced a decisive PDP victory. The PDP won 32 of 47 seats with 54.9% of the popular vote, while the DPT was reduced to 15 seats with 45.1%. Voter turnout was 66.1%, a significant decline from the 79.4% recorded in 2008. The lower turnout was attributed partly to voter fatigue and partly to the growing number of Bhutanese living and working outside their registered constituencies.^[9]

Tshering Tobgay was sworn in as Prime Minister on 27 July 2013. His cabinet included several technocrats and younger politicians, signalling a generational shift in Bhutanese leadership. The PDP government immediately moved to address the rupee crisis and restore relations with India, with Tobgay making New Delhi his first official foreign visit.^[10]

Analysis and Significance

The 2013 election was significant for several reasons. First, it demonstrated that Bhutan's democracy could produce a peaceful transfer of power, a critical test for any young democracy. Second, it established what would become a recurring anti-incumbency pattern, with voters consistently choosing change over continuity. Third, the role of India's subsidy withdrawal in influencing the outcome raised uncomfortable questions about the extent of external influence in Bhutanese domestic politics.^[11]

The election also revealed the growing importance of economic issues in Bhutanese electoral politics. While the 2008 election had been largely about the novelty of democracy itself, the 2013 contest demonstrated that voters would hold their government accountable for economic performance — a sign of democratic maturation. The PDP's victory set the stage for five years of governance focused on fiscal consolidation and closer alignment with India, before the electorate would again opt for change in the 2018 elections.

2013 National Assembly Elections

Background

Primary Round

Campaign

Results

Analysis and Significance

References

Test Your Knowledge

Help improve this article