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Bhutan Test-Drives Democracy

Posted Apr 24, 07 3:28 PM CDT in World,  Glossies 

(Newser) – The tiny Buddhist nation of Bhutan held a mock election Saturday in preparation for the transition from monarchy to democracy set for next year. The yellow thunder dragon defeated its blue, green, and red counterparts in the vote, a test run for the latest reform advocated by modernization-minded King Jigme Singye Wangchuck, who plans to abdicate.

A quarter-million Bhutanese, about half of those eligible, cast ballots, with yellow capturing 44%. Some said they just voted for their favorite color, but yellow is also the hue of the monarchy. Critics call the king's elaborate modernization pageant (including measurements of "gross national happiness") a distraction from Bhutan's harsh treatment of the ethnic Nepalese.

Source International Herald Tribune

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Bhutanese wait outside a polling booth to cast their vote during a mock poll in Bangtsho, Bhutan, Saturday, April 21, 2007. On Saturday, thousands of people spilled out of their homes to vote in a mock...   (Associated Press)
A Bhutanese woman casts her vote in an Electronic Voting Machine during a mock poll at a polling center in Chenary, Bhutan, Saturday, April 21, 2007. On Saturday, thousands of people spilled out of their...   (Associated Press)
Voters hold their identity cards as they stand in a queue to cast their votes during a mock poll at a polling station in Chenary, Bhutan, Saturday, April 21, 2007. On Saturday, thousands of people spilled...   (Associated Press)
A woman checks the identity of a voter, as others stand in a queue for their turn to vote, inside a polling booth to cast their vote during a mock poll in Chenary, Bhutan, Saturday, April 21, 2007. On...   (Associated Press)
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democracy  • monarchy  • government  • Bhutan  • modernization  • King Jigme Singye Wangchuck


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