2008 will be remembered as a historic year in our Kingdom. A year of new era and promising happiness for the people. This is the year of Bhutan’s transition to a democratic constitutional monarchy, the centenary year of the Wangchuck Dynasty and the year of the coronation of His Majesty Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck.

The year began with much anxiously awaited, first ever general elections to a new parliamentary democracy in the country. In the general election held on March 24, 2008, the Druk Phuensum Tshogpa (DPT secured a landslide victory in Bhutan’s historic National Assembly elections winning 45 of the 47 seats. The election to the National Council was conducted on December 31, 2007 with remaining five Dzongkhags going to the polls on January 31, 2008. The National Council has one member representing from each of the 20 Dzongkhags and five eminent persons nominated by His Majesty the king.

With the completion of the elections to both the houses, the country’s transformation in to a parliamentary democracy was successfully completed. The DPT led by Jigmi Y. Thinley formed the first democratically elected government in the country.

Following the election, the 1st session of the First parliament was held from 8 May to July 29, 2008. The National Assembly elected Dasho Jigme Tshultim as the Speaker and Yangkhu Tshering Sherpa as the Deputy Speaker from amongst the first democratically elected members. The Speaker was awarded Dakyen (Orange Scarf with Patang) by His Majesty the King on April 30, 2008.

The priority of the 1st session of the first parliament was the deliberation and endorsement of the constitution of the kingdom of Bhutan. The constitution was extensively deliberated in the joint sitting of the parliament held from May 8 to May 30, 2008.

The year also saw the visit of the Prime Minister of our closest friend and neighbor India. The Prime Minister of India, His Excellency Dr. Monmohan Singh was the first foreign head of a Government to address the Bhutanese Parliament. As Bhutan enters a new era, the honorable Prime Minister assured continuous support of India to Bhutan.

His Majesty the King and members of the Parliament signed the constitution at the Kuenrey of the Trashiochhodzong on the auspicious day of Friday, July 18, 2008. The signing ceremony was telecast live by the Bhutan Broadcasting Service Corporation. Schools, government and public institution remained close on this momentous day to observe the historic signing, after which the signed constitution was displayed for public viewing.

Another significant event that followed was the coronation of His Majesty the fifth King, an event which brought all sections of the Bhutanese society together, many tourist and foreign dignitaries were also present to add radiance to the celebration including the President of India Her Excellency Shrimati Pratibha Devisingh Patil, and the President of Congress Party of India Shrimati Sonia Gandhi and family.

A series of entertainment programs from people of various Dzongkhags showcased the cultural diversity and harmony of Bhutanese society with the institutes and schools performed various cultural activities, carrying messages of coronation and centenary celebration at the national stadium, Changlimithang on 7 and 8 November, 2008. The event was truly an event of a lifetime.

The 2nd session of the First Parliament commenced from December 24, 2008 to January 22, 2009. Some of the bills discussed were the amendments of the Cooperative and the Livestock Acts, the revised 10th five year plan, The Royal Bhutan Police Bill, The Prison Bill, The Waste Prevention and Management Bill and the ratification of the SARRC Fund Charter, the Protocol of Accession of Islamic Republic of Afghanistan to Agreement on South Asian Free Trade Area (SAFTA) and Agreement on the establishment of the South Asian Regional Standards Organization.

Through this website, you will be able to obtain useful information on various aspects of the National Assembly of Bhutan. We look forward to your suggestion in further improving the contents of our website.