Democratic Consolidation-The Druk Gyalpo
Democratic Consolidation
a.
Public Consultation of the Draft Constitution
ü His
Majesty Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuck conducted his first public consultation
in Lhuentse on 24th December 2005
ü He
covered thirteen Dzongkhags and end in Trongsa on 24th May 2006.
ü The
draft Constitution was translated and read in three dialects namely Dzongkha,
Tshangla and Lhotshamkha
Significance:
ü Created
forum to raise issues, and to try and make the Constitution beneficial for the
country.
ü After
reading every Article, opportunities were given to the public to comment and
raise questions.
ü Some
of the opinions received led to corrections and modification in the language of
the final document
b. Strengthened
the role Constitutional Bodies-the Pillars of Democracy
i.
Anti-Corruption Commission-January
2006
ü His
Majesty ensured continued support to do away with corruption
ü On
May 30, 2011 ACC Act was enacted during the 7th session of the joint
sitting of the First Parliament endorsed after Royal assent
ü His
Majesty encouraged people to ignore corruption
ü No
matter how well are plans and programs, corruption will hinder if not checked
ü Under
the guidance of the Throne, imbibing Druk Gyalpo’s spirit and confidence,
without fear and favour, ACC began to fish out cases of corruption ranging from
embezzlement of a few thousands to illegal ownership of government land.
ü His
Majesty said; there is no big and small corruption
ü His
Majesty said that ACC alone cannot root out corruption, people are vital and
more important than corruption.
His Majesty said; “The
highest probable risk to deployment that I foresee is corruption”
ü Bhutan’s
position in Corruption Perception Index Claimed three places up the ladder to
27th place in 2016 from 168 countries
ü In
Asia, Bhutan was placed in 6th position
ü Over
the years Bhutan has improved rom 49th position in 2009 to 30th
in 2014
ii.
Election Commission of Bhutan
(January 16, 2006) -Quintessence for a Vibrant Democracy
ü His
Majesty’s guidance and leadership became imperative when country welcomes
historic event
ü Apart
from guiding, His Majesty personally participated in the mock election at
Dungkar in Lhuentse on 21st April, 2007.
ü The
mock election was held nation-wide in all 47 National Assembly constituencies
at 869 polling stations
ü His
Majesty reminded ECB to function as the apex body to disseminate and create
awareness on democracy since democracy’s success lies in the hand of the hands
of the people.
ü The
success of three national elections, three Thromde elections are credited to
the guidance of His Majesty.
Significance
of Mock Election:
ü His
Majesty’s support in preparing for the Kingdom’s first parliamentary election
in 2008
ü Aimed
at familiarizing voters and officials on the election procedures ahead of the
elections in 2008.
c. Judiciary-Upholding
the Rule of Law
ü Her
Royal Highness, Princess Sonam Dechen Wangchcuk is the President
ü Royal
Law Project comprises:
i.
Bhutan
National Legal Institute: provides support and trainings to
in service legal personnel
ii.
Royal
Institute of Law: responsible
for conducting courses for the pre-service legal personnel.
iii.
Law
Library: functions as the Legal Research Centre The main
objectives of th
The main objectives of the RLP are:
ü Ensure
justice and unity, happiness and well-being of people under the rule of law.
ü Support
and contribute towards building a vibrant judicial system and democracy.
ü Preserve
and promote indigenous Bhutanese legal system as in the Tsa-yig
(Charter) of Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal and Buddhist teaching.
Jigme Singye Wangchuck
School of Law
ü On
21st February, 2015, a Royal Charter was granted for the
establishment of a law school in Throne room.
ü The
venue where the charter was granted and signed signifies His Majesty’s
attachment and importance to the project.
ü Chairman
Hugh Verrier offered the services and support of White and Case Frankfurt for
establishment of a law school in the country.
ü The
school is located at Pangbisa, Paro and is named in reverence to the Fourth
Druk Gyalpo.
ü On
May 29, 2016, His majesty graced the groundbreaking ceremony of the
school
Importance of Judiciary
in Democracy
ü To
act as a check and balance institution in democracy
ü To
promote fair and just society deeply rooted in Buddhist values
ü The
Supreme Court of Bhutan is Bhutan’s highest court of review and interpreter of
the Constitution
Bhutan’s first law
school was established to:
ü Provide
legal education and facilitate research for cultural enrichment and traditional
Bhutanese values.
ü Promote
rule of law to ensure a fair and just society.
ü Ensure
peaceful co-existence, unity, happiness and well-being of the people.
ü Ensure
the security and sovereignty of the nation.
d. Historic
Local Government Election of 2011
ü The
historic local government was successfully done on 27th June, 2007
under the guidance of His Majesty
ü The
Local Government Act was enacted on September 11, 2009 upon Royal ascent
ü His
Majesty granted dhar and kabney on 27th June 2011 further
symbolizing his Majesty’s support for the leaders of local government.
ü During
historic national day celebration in Trongsa 2007, His Majesty granted Patang
to the Thrisin (Gup) of the Dzongkhag Gargay Tshogdu further empowering the
Local Government leaders
ü His
Majesty believes that success of democracy is determined by the success of
local government. For that matter, local government leaders are recognized by
the Throne
His Majesty Said:
ü The
Kabney is awarded from the Throne as a symbol of the independence and importance
of local government.
e. Bhutan
Media Foundation
ü Through
the exercise of the Royal Prerogative of kidu , on 21st
February, 2010, His Majesty established the Bhutan Media Foundation as an
autonomous and independent agency.
Aim:
ü To
support Journalist Association of Bhutan and Press Clubs.
ü To
invest in future readership by providing all newspaper to schools and colleges.
ü To
promote national language and civic education programs in media.
Significance of Bhutan
Media Foundation
ü Not
to be missed for political and individual gain
ü To
play important role, in socio-economic and political growth of the nation
ü To
carry out their duties without fear or favor in the interest of democracy in
Bhutan
His Majesty’s
acknowledgment and support for Media
ü During
the National Day Celebration of 2012, His Majesty awarded medals to all media
agencies for constructive roles played and expectations to achieve vibrant
democracy.
ü During
the national day celebration in Samtse, His Majesty awarded medals
Comments
Post a Comment