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Fri 12th March, 2010

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National Assembly of Bhutan

1953 - 2007

It was the farsighted vision of the Third King His Majesty Jigme Dorji Wangchuck which laid the foundation of modern Bhutan. The very first of many visionary initiatives taken by His Majesty the King was the establishment of the Tshogdu (National Assembly) in 1953.
The National Assembly was established to discuss issues of national interest, promote public welfare and develop political consciousness among the people so that they could play a greater role in the decision making process and running of the country.
The National Assembly in 1953 started as a body with just 38 members. The first Session was held at Pungthang Dechen Phodrang Dzong with Dasho Kesang Dawa, the then Rinpung Dzongtsab as the First Speaker.
Thereafter, subsequent sessions from 2nd to 13th were held in Tashichho-dzong, 14th to 28th Sessions were held in Paro, 29th to 72nd sessions in Tashichho-dzong and the sessions after 73rd were held inside the Gyelyong Tshokhang.
Over the years, the total members increased to 150 with 99 elected representatives of the people, 6 Royal Advisory Councillors, 35 nominated representatives of the government and 10 representatives of the Clergy.
In 1993, a new milestone was achieved in the history of the National Assembly of Bhutan. It moved to its new premises, the Gyelyong Tshokhang, a new landmark in the capital. This sacred hall, adorned with traditional artwork and fully equipped with modern facilities, symbolizes yet another new chapter written in the history of the Tshogdu Chhenmo (the National Assembly).
The conduct and proceedings of a National Assembly session in Bhutan is unique with elaborate traditional ceremonies during the inaugural and closing sessions, the observance of a dress and speech code, proper floor decorum, mandatory presence of all its members throughout the session, and above all the observance of courtesy and respect among its members for maintaining and upholding the sanctity of the highest decision making body in the country. This signifies the rich and inseparable culture of Bhutan.
The proceedings of the National Assembly are regulated by the Rules of Procedure of the National Assembly.
The rules and procedures for election of National Assembly members were promulgated by the National Assembly in 1954. The rules and procedures were revised in 1968 during the 29th Session of the National Assembly and again in 1981 during the 55th Session of the National Assembly.
These rules and procedures were further amended and adopted during the 73rd Session as the 1995 Amended Chathrim for Election of National Assembly Members.
Any Bhutanese citizen who had attained the age of 25, possessing sound mind and who had no criminal record was eligible to be elected as a member.
The members of the National Assembly were elected for three years in individual constituencies at various dates depending on the expiry of the incumbent's term.
Initially the scope and nature of issues for deliberation in the National Assembly were limited to issues affecting the people at the village, block and district level. Many of these issues are today resolved by the Block Development (GYT) and District Development Committees (DYT).
Over the years the nature and scope of the National Assembly grew wider. Today, the nature and scope of deliberations in the National Assembly encompass both national and international issues which are of national concern and importance.
During the 29th session, held from 12th to 23rd November 1968, the third King with the visionary aim of inducting liberal principles into the system voluntarily surrendered his veto power, thus vesting full legislative power in the Assembly.
The 29th session apparently signified the king�s commitment for people�s participation. Since then, no decision of the National Assembly embodied in any resolution or statute required royal assent before becoming operative.
The National Assembly was further liberalized by the Third King with the introduction of the no-confidence vote during the 30th Session of the Assembly in May 1969.
With the introduction of the no-confidence vote, all senior officials of the government including the King himself could be forced to resign from public service if two-thirds majority of the house supported a vote of no-confidence.
However, the spring session of the National Assembly in 1973, unanimously took the initiative to abolish the system of calling for a no-confidence motion against the King.
His Majesty Jigme Singye Wangchuck, the fourth King, with his deep commitment to promote people's participation in the decision making process, established the Dzongkhag Yargye Tshogchungs (District Development Committees) by a Royal Decree in 1981.
To promote further decentralization and take the decision making process right down to the grassroots level in the village and promote political consciousness, 196 Gewog Yargye Tshogchungs (Block Development Committees) were established in 1991 by His Majesty the King.
The presence of democracy was already felt prior to 2008 when these development committees were established. The members of the DYTs and GYTs are all elected by the people.
During the 76th Session of the National Assembly held from 29th June to 30th July 1998, His Majesty the King introduced historic decentralization in the governance of the country which further deepened the process of democratization and people�s participation in the country.
In a Kasho (Royal edict) issued to the National Assembly, His Majesty proposed that all Cabinet Ministers should henceforth be elected by the National Assembly and that the National Assembly should have a mechanism to register a vote of confidence in His Majesty the King.
In accordance with these changes, the metamorphosis of the government reached new heights. His Majesty the King no longer presided over the Lhengye Zhungtshog which was vested with full executive powers. Consequently the council was chaired by the head of the government.
The Council of Ministers only had to keep the King fully informed on matters that concerned the security and sovereignty of the country.
The Royal Kasho not only gave the devolution of power from the King to the Council of Ministers but also enhanced the power of the National Assembly with not only the responsibility of electing Cabinet Ministers but also empowered it to develop a mechanism for registering a vote of confidence in His Majesty the Druk Gyalpo.
As a highest legislative body in the country, the main functions of the National Assembly are to enact, amend or repeal laws, endorse appointments of senior government officials, and approve the national budget.
The National Assembly also approves the Five-Year Plans. It also deliberates on issues that affect the security and well-being of the country and promote the welfare and happiness of the people.
The sessions of the National Assembly are held twice a year. However, if important and emergency matters arise, special sessions of the National Assembly may be convened by the Speaker.
The duration of a National Assembly session is governed by the nature and scope of the points for discussion received from the people. A session normally lasts about three weeks.
The Speaker is the presiding officer of the House. He is assisted by the Deputy Speaker in the conduct and smooth functioning of the house.
The National Assembly has seen 13 speakers over the past 55 years till its dissolution.
The National Assembly was formally dissolved by His Majesty the King in November 2007 to prepare for the parliamentary elections in 2008.

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2008 -

2008 is a historic year with the establishment of a democratically elected Parliament with sovereign power vested with the people of Bhutan.
The First Parliament endorsed the Constitution of the Kingdom of Bhutan. With the signing of the Constitution by His Majesty the King and the Members of Parliament on July 18, 2008, Bhutan�s transition to democratic constitutional monarchy was complete.
As per Article 10 of the Constitution of the Kingdom of Bhutan, there shall be a Parliament for Bhutan in which all legislative powers under the Constitution are vested and which shall consist of the Druk Gyalpo, the National Council and the National Assembly.
The National Council constitutes of 25 members with one member representing from each of the 20 Dzongkhgas (Districts) and five eminent persons nominated by His Majesty the King.
The National Assembly constitutes of 47 members from each 47 constituencies directly elected by the people of their respective constituencies through secret ballot. All the members serve for a term of five years.
The election of the members of Parliament shall be in accordance with the provisions of the Electoral Laws of the Kingdom.
Dasho Jigme Tshultim was elected as the first Speaker from the first democratically elected members. The Assembly also elected Yangkhu Tshering Sherpa as the Deputy Speaker.