Tibetan Election 2021
Thousands of Tibetans around the world will vote April 11 to choose a new Sikyong and parliament in exile for the Central Tibetan Administration.
Penpa Tsering and Aukatsang Kelsang Dorjee are vying to replace Lobsang Sangay, a Harvard-trained law scholar, who has served two consecutive five-year terms as Sikyong and will leave the post when his term expires in May.
Also, 96 candidates are running for 45 seats in the parliament in exile.
To run for Sikyong, a candidate must ...
Be a citizen of Tibet
Be at least 35 years of age
Not have been declared mentally unsound by a court or a licensed medical practitioner
Not have been declared legally bankrupt
Not have been convicted of any criminal offence by any court of law
Not have been declared disqualified by more than two-thirds majority in the Tibetan Assembly
Not be a Sikyong or kalon who is serving a second consecutive term in office
The candidates
Penpa Tsering
Former speaker of the Tibetan parliament-in-exile.
Born in India in 1967
Aukatsang Kelsang Dorjee
Former representative to North America for the Dalai Lama. Born in India in 1968.
Their top issues
Resolving the Tibetan conflict
Working toward fulfilling the hopes and aspirations of the Tibetan people
Strengthening the Central Tibetan Administration and Tibetan democracy
Examining and publicizing China’s flawed policies on Tibet
Strengthening Tibetan communities by planning and monitoring settlements and providing social welfare in an equitable manner
Improving the financial condition of the CTA and Tibetan people
Preserving the religious and cultural heritage of Tibet
Reviewing the education policy and providing meaningful learning for youth
Ensuring the security of the Dalai Lama
Ensuring the health of Tibetans in exile with preventive and curative health programs
Giving Tibetans in Tibet a greater voice and strengthening the struggle for Tibetan freedom
Modernizing the CTA and creating a digital transformation and governance plan
Achieving modern education within an uniquely Tibetan environment
Revamping the Department of Religion and Culture, increasing funding for arts and culture and elevating the Tibetan language
Improving the economic resilience of the CTA and Tibetans
Recognizing and elevating the role of youth in the CTA and the struggle for freedom
The voting
The final Sikyong election will be held April 11 in 26 countries. The results will be announced May 14. The Tibetan diaspora is estimated to include about 150,000 people living in 40 countries, mainly in India and Nepal, along with North America and Europe.
The Tibetan System
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Web page produced by: Minh-Ha Le
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Graphic illustrations: Rebel Pepper, Vince Meadows
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Editing: Tenzin Dickyi, Nordhey Dolma, H. Leo Kim, Palden Gyal, Kalden Lodoe, Paul Nelson
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