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The Tibetan Election Commission on the coming elections

Dharamshala: The officials of the Election Commission on Saturday gave a talk to the staff of the Central Tibetan Administration on the details of the upcoming election of the next Kalon Tripa and members of Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile at Gangchen Kyishong, Dharamsala.

Chief Election Commissioner Mr Jamphel Choesang said the election is very important and it can be successful if the Tibetan public participate with responsibility in the electoral process.

Mr Choesang said, eligibility for voting is that a voter should be a Tibetan of 18 years of age and must have registered his or her Green book with the Election Commission or the local branch of election commission.

He said a person registered for voting can vote at any of the polling sites where the election commission would keep the polling booth on carrying his or her registered Green book.

An officer of Election Commission told Tibet.Net, “ The commission will set up polling booths at any location where there are more than 50 Tibetans living by sending their list of voters to the commission.”

Registration dates are from 18 June to 18 August. Preliminary voting date is on 3 October and the final day voting is on 20 March 2011.

Additional Election Commissioner, Ven Geshe Rigzin Choedak, said only a family member of a voter can assist his or her family who may not be a literate or may be sick.

The officials of the Election Commission of the Central Tibetan Administration has travelled to Tibetan settlements in Ladakh, Manali, Mandi, Chauntra, Bir, Shimla, Dharamsala and others in northern India, and Kalimpong, Darjeeling and others in eastern India to explain the details of the upcoming elections. The commission will be giving such talks in Tibetan settlements in Dehra Dun on 11 August and has plans to cover election talks in South India.