A total of 10,309 voters have been registered to cast their ballots in the 2026 Thromde Elections, according to the Final Electoral Roll released by the Election Commission of Bhutan (ECB) on June 15, marking another important milestone in the country’s democratic process.
The final roll shows that 9,159 voters are registered in Thimphu Thromde, while 1,150 voters are registered in Phuentshogling Thromde, where residents will elect their local leaders for the next five-year term.
Women make up the majority of the electorate in both thromdes. In Thimphu Thromde, there are 4,913 female voters compared with 4,246 male voters, while Phuentshogling Thromde has 590 female voters and 560 male voters.
The ECB has also completed the verification of postal ballot applications submitted ahead of the elections. A total of 142 applications were received, of which 95 were approved and 47 rejected.
Acco rd in g to th e Commission, 15 applicants were rejected because they were not registered voters in either Thimphu o r P h u e n t s h o g l i n g Thromde. The remaining 32 applications were rejected as the applicants did not meet the eligibility criteria for postal voting under the electoral laws.
Following the verification process, 95 voters have been registered for postal voting, including 68 voters from Thimphu Thromde and 27 from Phuentshogling Thromde.
The election campaign officially commenced on 21 June and will continue until the start of the No Campaign Period on 13 July, giving candidates several weeks to present their manifestos and engage with voters.
As part of the campaign, the ECB will organise Common Forums, providing voters with an opportunity to hear directly from candidates, understand their priorities and compare their plans for municipal governance.
The Common Forums in Phuentshogling Thromde are scheduled from 29 June to 1 July, while those in Thimphu Thromde will be held from 29 June to 3 July. The forums will be conducted according to schedules issued by the respective Dzongkhag Election Authorities.
Another key feature of the campaign is the public debates for candidates contesting the post of Thrompon. Organised in collaboration with the Bhutan Broadcasting Service Corporation (BBSC), the debates are intended to promote issue-based campaigning and help voters make informed choices.
The debate for Phuentshogling Thromde was held on 25 June at the College of Science and Technology, while the debate for Thimphu Thromde is scheduled for 27 June at the Royal University of Bhutan Conference Hall.
The Commission has encouraged all eligible voters to closely follow the debates, election campaigns and public forums before casting their ballots.
Polling for the Fourth Dzongkhag Thromde Tshogde Elections is scheduled for 15 July, when voters in Thimphu and Phuentshogling will elect their Thrompons and Thromde Tshogpas.
The ECB has called on all registered voters to participate actively in the electoral process by voting either on Poll Day or through postal ballot and early voting facilities, where applicable.
The Commission also reminded candidates, political representatives and voters to strictly adhere to the Electoral Laws, Rules and Regulations and the Election Code of Conduct throughout the campaign period.
It emphasised that respecting the electoral process and maintaining ethical campaign practices are essential to ensuring that the elections are conducted in a free, fair, peaceful and transparent manner, while strengthening public confidence in Bhutan’s democratic institutions.
Sangay Rabten, Thimphu
