Bhutan goes to the polls in election focused on economic woes

Despite Bhutan prioritising ‘Gross National Happiness’ over GDP, voters are firmly focused on the economy in election.

Voting has begun in the final round of Bhutan’s fourth national election since the establishment of democracy 15 years ago.

Voters headed to the polls on Tuesday as they opened at 8am (02:00 GMT), in an election focused on economic growth and opportunity, despite the country’s use of a “Gross National Happiness” index in place of gross domestic product (GDP).

Approximately half a million voters can select 47 members of parliament from a pool of 94 candidates presented by the Bhutan Tendrel Party (BTP) and People’s Democratic Party (PDP). The latter secured victory in a primary round in November. Polls will close at 5pm (11:00 GMT), with results expected on Wednesday.

“The most important thing the Bhutanese people need is economic growth and the growth of their own,” Karma, 49, a voter from Punakha, near Thimphu, told Reuters news agency.

“Many people are unemployed and even those who have jobs get salary that is not enough to support the growth of their family.”