2018 National Assembly Elections

The 2018 Bhutanese National Assembly election, held on 18 October 2018, was the third general election in Bhutan's democratic history. It continued the pattern of anti-incumbency that had characterised Bhutanese elections since 2008, with the ruling People's Democratic Party (PDP) of Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay losing power to the Druk Nyamrup Tshogpa (DNT, "Bhutan United Party"). DNT president Lotay Tshering, a practising urologist who had never held political office, became Prime Minister. The DNT won 30 of 47 seats, while the DPT, returning as an opposition force, secured 17 seats. The PDP was eliminated in the primary round.^[1]

The election was notable for several reasons: it was the first in which the incumbent party failed to advance past the primary round, it brought an entirely new party to power, and it elevated a political novice to the premiership. The result underscored both the dynamism and the volatility of Bhutan's young democratic system.^[2]

Background

The PDP government of Tshering Tobgay had governed since 2013 with a focus on fiscal discipline, economic reform, and strengthening relations with India. The government achieved notable successes, including the stabilisation of the rupee crisis, completion of several hydropower projects, and improvements in health and education indicators. However, rising youth unemployment, increasing household debt, and perceptions that the government had failed to deliver on its economic promises fuelled public dissatisfaction.^[3]

The 2018 election also took place in a context of growing urbanisation and social change. Thimphu and other urban centres had expanded rapidly, creating new constituencies of young, educated voters who were less deferential to established political figures and more demanding of concrete economic opportunities. Social media, still relatively new in Bhutan following the country's late adoption of the internet in 1999 and television, had become an important platform for political discussion and criticism.^[4]

Primary Round

Four parties contested the primary round held on 15 September 2018: the incumbent PDP, the DPT, the DNT, and the Druk Chirwang Tshogpa (DCT). In a result that shocked the political establishment, the DNT topped the primary with 31,185 votes, followed by the DPT with 28,711 votes. The PDP, despite being the ruling party, finished third with 27,532 votes and was eliminated from the general election. The DCT finished fourth. The margin between the three leading parties was remarkably narrow, with fewer than 4,000 votes separating first and third place.^[5]

The PDP's elimination was a historic result — the first time a sitting government had failed to advance to the general election. It was widely attributed to a combination of anti-incumbency sentiment, the appeal of the DNT's fresh leadership, and strategic voting by citizens who wanted to ensure the PDP's defeat. The result left Bhutan's general election as a contest between two opposition parties, neither of which had experience in government at the national level.^[6]

General Election

The general election on 18 October 2018 was contested by the DNT and the DPT. The DNT campaigned on a platform of "Narrowing the Gap," focusing on reducing inequality, improving healthcare access, reforming education, and addressing youth unemployment. Lotay Tshering's personal story — a surgeon who continued to perform operations even while campaigning — resonated with voters tired of career politicians. The DPT, led by party president Pema Gyamtsho, emphasised experience and policy continuity.^[7]

The DNT won decisively, securing 30 of 47 seats with approximately 55% of the popular vote. The DPT won the remaining 17 seats with approximately 45%. Voter turnout was 71.5%, an improvement over the 66.1% recorded in 2013, suggesting that the novelty of the DNT candidacy and the competitive nature of the race had motivated more citizens to participate.^[8]

The Lotay Tshering Government

Lotay Tshering was sworn in as Prime Minister on 7 November 2018. His government prioritised healthcare reform, education quality, and economic diversification. In a move that attracted international attention, Tshering continued to perform surgeries on weekends throughout his tenure as Prime Minister, maintaining his medical practice at the Jigme Dorji Wangchuck National Referral Hospital in Thimphu. He framed this as a commitment to public service that transcended political office.^[9]

The DNT government faced significant challenges, including the economic disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic beginning in 2020, which severely impacted Bhutan's tourism-dependent economy. The government's pandemic response, which included strict border closures and a national vaccination campaign that achieved one of the world's fastest rollouts, was widely praised both domestically and internationally. However, the economic fallout from the pandemic, including job losses in tourism and hospitality, weighed on the government's popularity as the next election approached.^[10]

Significance

The 2018 election reinforced Bhutan's pattern of electoral anti-incumbency and demonstrated the continued evolution of its party system. The rise of the DNT, a party formed only in 2013, showed that Bhutanese voters were willing to entrust power to new political movements. The election of a political outsider as Prime Minister reflected a broader global trend of voter disenchantment with professional politicians, adapted to Bhutan's unique cultural context. The 2018 results set the stage for the 2023-24 electoral cycle, which would once again test whether Bhutan's anti-incumbency pattern would hold.

2018 National Assembly Elections

Background

Primary Round

General Election

The Lotay Tshering Government

Significance

References

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