Vote graph for Tibetan Elections 2021. Photo/ Tibet Bureau, Geneva
Geneva: The final round of the 2021 Tibetan general elections for Sikyong and members of the 17th Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile saw increased participation by Tibetans across Central and Eastern Europe.
In times of pandemic, organizing elections have been an uphill task across the world. It is particularly challenging and a herculean task when the population is spread across the globe, like that of the Tibetan community-in-exile. In Central and Eastern Europe which hosts the largest Tibetan exile community in Europe, the Tibetan population is predominantly spread across five countries: Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Germany, Austria and Italy. The conducting of the elections was additionally arduous because many parts of these countries were under lockdown during both the preliminary and final rounds of elections.
Tibetan Community of Switzerland and Liechtenstein. Photo/ Tibet Bureau, Geneva
A total number of 4,591 Tibetans registered for the final round of elections out of which 3,726 Tibetans cast their ballots for the Sikyong election compared to 4,583 total registered voters for the preliminary round out of which 3,674 cast their votes (details in the graph above). For the final round, 8 new voter registrations were allowed as they attained the age of 18 during the election period process. The final round witnessed an increase of 1 % (44 voters) voter participation compared to the preliminary round of the elections.
Conducting elections take months of strategic planning and organizing. For the ease of the voters, 39 polling stations were established across the five countries of Central and Eastern Europe under the jurisdiction of the Tibet Bureau Geneva. The regional election commission for Central and Eastern Europe was headed by Representative Chhimey Rigzen of the Tibet Bureau Geneva. For smooth functioning, a total number of 237 ad-hoc election staff were appointed for the final round of the 2021 election including 8 regional assistant election commissioners, 39 regional election commission members, 14 regional election observers and 176 local election duty staff.
Tibetan Community in Italy. Photo/ Tibet Bureau, Geneva
“Despite the herculean challenges augmented by the pandemic, we have successfully conducted the 2021 Tibetan general elections for Sikyong and members of the 17th Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile. We understand that elections are the fundamental expression as well as a barometer of democracy and we are very happy that the process was successfully conducted with the support of the Tibetan community. This success belongs to the Tibetan community,” remarked Representative Chhimey Rigzen.
Tibetan Community in Germany. Photo/ Tibet Bureau, Geneva
Tibetan Community in Austria. Photo/ Tibet Bureau, Geneva