Ahead of impending transition of political powers from Tibetan Spiritual leader Dalai Lama,Tibetans across the world toady elected 42-year old Harvard scholar Lobsang Sangay as new Prime Minister of the Tibet’s government-in-exile.
The results of the elections to the members of new Parliament and Kalon Tripa (Prime Minister) were declared today after completion of the counting of the votes and compilation of the reports received from 56 regional election commissions.
Making this announcement Chief Election Commission of the Central Tibetan Administration Jampal Choesang said the new Prime Minister ,however,will take charge on August 15 after end of the term of incumbent Prime Minister Dr S.Rinpoche ,who also recently headed the Parliamentary committee to amend Tibetan’s charter for transfer of powers from Dalai Lama to new Prime Minister and other organs of the Parliament.
The term of the members of the Parliament will end on May 31,said Lobsang Choedak,Press officer of the Tibetan central government.
Sangay has polled 27,051 votes of total 49,084 votes polled,which is 55 percent of total votes .Other two Prime Ministers candidates Tenzin Namgyal Tethong and Tashi Wangdi polled 18,405 votes and 3,173 votes respectively,giving Hardward scholar a clear lead to run for the Prime Minister’s post.
Sangay election was a foregone conclusion as he had already emerged as the frontrunner in the primary balloting. He will move down to Dharamshala from Boston on August 15,say Tibetan officials.
In 2001 the Tibetan parliament,on the advice of His Holiness the Dalai Lama,amended the Charter of the Tibetans in Exile to provide for direct election of the Kalon Tripa by the exile populace. The Kalon Tripa,in turn,nominates the other Kalons (members of Kashag),and seeks the parliament’s approval for their appointment.
Born in northeast India,Sangay has never lived in or visited Tibet but he has emerged quite popular among younger Tibetans,who seems to have voted for him overwhelming .
Dalai Lama,75,has announced to take political retirement and a Committee of Parliament headed by incumbent Prime Minister has already finalized the draft for changes in the Tibetan Chartar .A special session of the Parliament has been convened in May 2011 to give its approval to the proposed Changes.
Sangay has made it clear that he fully supports the Dalai Lama’s “middle way” formula that seeks “meaningful autonomy” for Tibet under Chinese rule,rather than outright independence.
In his first reaction,Prime Minister elect Lobsang Sangay said: “I am really overwhelmed by the support extended to me by the Tibetan community .I am really humbled ,and I will do my utmost to live up to the expectations of exiled Tibetans.”
“With profound humility I accept the Tibetan people’s support and the post of Kalon Tripa,” Lobsang said. He said: “It is sobering to realize that nearly 50,000 people in over 30 countries voted in the recent Kalon Tripa and Chitue elections.”
He thanked the Tibetans for participation in the election ,which the PM elect says their participation has strengthened the democracy.
Seeking Tibetans support ,Sangay said: “I urge every Tibetan and friends of Tibet to join me in our common cause to alleviate the suffering of Tibetans in occupied Tibet and to return His Holiness Dalai Lama to his rightful place in the Potala Palace.”
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