2018 Bhutanese National Assembly election

2018 Bhutanese National Assembly election

←  2013 15 September 2018 (first round) 18 October 2018 (second round) 2023–24  →
All 47 seats in the National Assembly 24 seats needed for a majority
Turnout	71.46% [1]
First party Second party   Leader Lotay Tshering Pema Gyamtsho Party DNT DPT Last election 17.04%, 0 seats 45.12%, 15 seats Seats won 30 17 Seat change 30 2 Popular vote 172,268 141,205 Percentage 54.95% 45.05% Swing 37.91pp 0.07pp
First round results by constituency Second round results by constituency
Prime Minister before election Tshering Tobgay PDP Prime Minister Lotay Tshering DNT

National Assembly elections were held in Bhutan in 2018; the first round was held on 15 September and the second round on 18 October. ^[2]

The ruling People's Democratic Party of former Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay came third in the first round of voting, unexpectedly failing to advance to the second round and resulting in it losing all 32 seats. ^[3] The second round was a contest between the Druk Phuensum Tshogpa, the only other party with parliamentary representation, and the unrepresented Druk Nyamrup Tshogpa, which received the most votes in the first round.

Electoral system

The 47 members of the National Assembly are elected from single-member constituencies. Primary elections are held in which voters cast votes for parties. The top two parties are then able to field candidates in the main round of voting, in which members are elected using first-past-the-post voting. ^[4]

Results

Party		First round		Second round		Seats	+/–
		Votes	%	Votes	%
	Druk Nyamrup Tshogpa	92,722	31.85	172,268	54.95	30	+30
	Druk Phuensum Tshogpa	90,020	30.92	141,205	45.05	17	+2
	People's Democratic Party	79,883	27.44			0	–32
	Bhutan Kuen-Nyam Party	28,473	9.78			0	New
Total		291,098	100.00	313,473	100.00	47	0
Registered voters/turnout		438,663	–	438,663	–
Source: ECB (first round), ECB (second round)

By constituency

Constituency	Electorate	First round				Second round
		Party		Votes	%	Candidate	Votes	%
Athang-Thedtsho	9,918		Druk Nyamrup Tshogpa	2,131		Kinley Wangchuk	4,001
			Druk Phuensum Tshogpa	1,813		Nim Gyeltshen	3,134
			People's Democratic Party	2,336
			Bhutan Kuen-Nyam Party	778
Bardo-Trong	10,789		Druk Phuensum Tshogpa	2,358		Gyambo Tshering	3,633
			Druk Nyamrup Tshogpa	1,581		Sonam Leki	3,507
			People's Democratic Party	2,254
			Bhutan Kuen-Nyam Party	796
Bartsham-Shongphu	11,302		Druk Phuensum Tshogpa	2,741		Passang Dorji	4,099
			Druk Nyamrup Tshogpa	2,404		Tenzin Lekphell	3,561
			People's Democratic Party	1,941
			Bhutan Kuen-Nyam Party	382
Bji-Kar-Tshog-Uesu	4,173		Druk Nyamrup Tshogpa	964		Ugen Tenzin	1,879
			Druk Phuensum Tshogpa	370		Sonam Tobgay	888
			People's Democratic Party	1,185
			Bhutan Kuen-Nyam Party	441
Bongo-Chapchha	14,320		Druk Nyamrup Tshogpa	3,139		Tshewang Lhamo	6,632
			Druk Phuensum Tshogpa	1,273		Pempa	3,479
			People's Democratic Party	4,413
			Bhutan Kuen-Nyam Party	822
Boomdeling-Jamkhar	9,212		Druk Phuensum Tshogpa	1,471		Dupthob	3,541
			Druk Nyamrup Tshogpa	2,701		Sangay Dorji	2,710
			People's Democratic Party	1,567
			Bhutan Kuen-Nyam Party	402
Chhoekhor-Tang	6,051		Druk Phuensum Tshogpa	2,540		Pema Gyamtsho	3,251
			Druk Nyamrup Tshogpa	921		Dawa	1,536
			People's Democratic Party	1,048
			Bhutan Kuen-Nyam Party	237
Chhumig-Ura	3,785		Druk Phuensum Tshogpa	968		Karma Wangchuk	1,433
			Druk Nyamrup Tshogpa	699		Phuntsho Namgey	1,415
			People's Democratic Party	894
			Bhutan Kuen-Nyam Party	235
Dewathang-Gomdar	14,587		Druk Phuensum Tshogpa	4,020		Ugyen Dorji	5,367
			Druk Nyamrup Tshogpa	2,432		Thinley Namgay	5,144
			People's Democratic Party	1,880
			Bhutan Kuen-Nyam Party	1,506
Dokar-Sharpa	8,684		Druk Nyamrup Tshogpa	2,528		Namgay Tshering	4,155
			Druk Phuensum Tshogpa	1,009		Chencho Dorji	2,112
			People's Democratic Party	2,389
			Bhutan Kuen-Nyam Party	606
Dophuchen-Tading	13,231		Druk Nyamrup Tshogpa	2,453		Loknath Sharma	5,069
			Druk Phuensum Tshogpa	2,679		Thakur Singh Powdyel	4,532
			People's Democratic Party	1,648
			Bhutan Kuen-Nyam Party	958
Draagteng-Langthil	5,879		Druk Nyamrup Tshogpa	1,299		Gyem Dorji	1,979
			Druk Phuensum Tshogpa	897		Ugyen Namgyal	1,906
			People's Democratic Party	1,305
			Bhutan Kuen-Nyam Party	452
Dramedtse-Ngatshang	13,278		Druk Phuensum Tshogpa	4,694		Ugyen Wangdi	5,602
			Druk Nyamrup Tshogpa	1,844		Jigme Dorji	3,690
			People's Democratic Party	1,644
			Bhutan Kuen-Nyam Party	853
Drukjeygang-Tseza	12,505		Druk Nyamrup Tshogpa	2,929		Jurmi Wangchuk	6,087
			Druk Phuensum Tshogpa	1,152		Migma Dorji	2,939
			People's Democratic Party	2,642
			Bhutan Kuen-Nyam Party	1,111
Gangzur-Minjey	8,395		Druk Nyamrup Tshogpa	2,134		Kinga Penjor	3,026
			Druk Phuensum Tshogpa	1,504		Tshering Dorji	2,638
			People's Democratic Party	1,302
			Bhutan Kuen-Nyam Party	507
Gelegphu	17,242		Druk Nyamrup Tshogpa	3,488		Karma Donnen Wangdi	6,691
			Druk Phuensum Tshogpa	3,368		Pema Tashi	5,433
			People's Democratic Party	2,436
			Bhutan Kuen-Nyam Party	1,466
Jomotshangkha-Martshala	11,239		Druk Phuensum Tshogpa	3,361		Norbu Wangzom	4,372
			Druk Nyamrup Tshogpa	1,565		Ugyen Dorji	3,547
			People's Democratic Party	1,961
			Bhutan Kuen-Nyam Party	604
Kabisa-Talog	10,015		Druk Nyamrup Tshogpa	2,284		Tshencho Wangdi	4,294
			Druk Phuensum Tshogpa	1,193		Kinley Wangchuk	2,459
			People's Democratic Party	2,738
			Bhutan Kuen-Nyam Party	639
Kanglung-Samkhar-Udzorong	11,125		Druk Phuensum Tshogpa	2,741		Samdrup R Wangchuk	3,866
			Druk Nyamrup Tshogpa	2,350		Tenzin Namgyel	3,838
			People's Democratic Party	1,941
			Bhutan Kuen-Nyam Party	450
Kengkhar-Weringla	10,856		Druk Phuensum Tshogpa	3,487		Rinzin Jamtsho	4,385
			Druk Nyamrup Tshogpa	2,292		Kunzang Drukpa	3,246
			People's Democratic Party	956
			Bhutan Kuen-Nyam Party	485
Khamdang-Ramjar	9,176		Druk Phuensum Tshogpa	2,742		Kuenga Loday	3,602
			Druk Nyamrup Tshogpa	1,770		Karma Gyeltshen	2,821
			People's Democratic Party	1,242
			Bhutan Kuen-Nyam Party	418
Khamaed-Lunana	1,041		Druk Nyamrup Tshogpa	198		Yeshley Dem	419
			Druk Phuensum Tshogpa	107		Dhendup	361
			People's Democratic Party	339
			Bhutan Kuen-Nyam Party	65
Khar-Yurung	9,589		Druk Phuensum Tshogpa	4,066		Tshering Chhoden	4,738
			Druk Nyamrup Tshogpa	1,489		Ugyen Tshewang	2,045
			People's Democratic Party	411
			Bhutan Kuen-Nyam Party	393
Khatoed-Laya	1,023		Druk Nyamrup Tshogpa	407		Tenzin	588
			Druk Phuensum Tshogpa	85		Changa Dawa	268
			People's Democratic Party	278
			Bhutan Kuen-Nyam Party	50
Kilkhorthang-Mendrelgang	12,151		Druk Nyamrup Tshogpa	3,073		Bimal Thapa	6,681
			Druk Phuensum Tshogpa	1,419		Yangkhu Tshering Sherpa	2,965
			People's Democratic Party	2,435
			Bhutan Kuen-Nyam Party	760
Lamgong-Wangchang	10,000		Druk Nyamrup Tshogpa	2,113		Ugyen Tshering	3,566
			Druk Phuensum Tshogpa	2,387		Phub Tshering	3,496
			People's Democratic Party	2,081
			Bhutan Kuen-Nyam Party	539
Lhamoi Dzingkha-Tashiding	12,065		Druk Nyamrup Tshogpa	3,135		Hemant Gurung	6,257
			Druk Phuensum Tshogpa	874		Prem Kumar Khatiwara	2,588
			People's Democratic Party	2,520
			Bhutan Kuen-Nyam Party	634
Lingmukha-Toedwang	6,934		Druk Nyamrup Tshogpa	1,985		Tandi Dorji	3,154
			Druk Phuensum Tshogpa	1,337		Sonam Wangyel Wang	2,082
			People's Democratic Party	1,196
			Bhutan Kuen-Nyam Party	605
Maenbi-Tsaenkhar	8,186		Druk Phuensum Tshogpa	1,951		Choki Gyeltshen	2,941
			Druk Nyamrup Tshogpa	1,620		Tshering Phuntsho	2,579
			People's Democratic Party	1,216
			Bhutan Kuen-Nyam Party	440
Monggar	10,455		Druk Nyamrup Tshogpa	2,056		Sherub Gyeltshen	3,763
			Druk Phuensum Tshogpa	2,601		Karma Lhamo	3,686
			People's Democratic Party	2,045
			Bhutan Kuen-Nyam Party	584
Nanong-Shumar	9,457		Druk Phuensum Tshogpa	3,516		Lungten Namgyel	4,311
			Druk Nyamrup Tshogpa	1,513		Pema Wangda	2,132
			People's Democratic Party	845
			Bhutan Kuen-Nyam Party	482
Nganglam	7,095		Druk Phuensum Tshogpa	3,516		Choida Jamtsho	3,576
			Druk Nyamrup Tshogpa	1,513		Karma Dorji	1,976
			People's Democratic Party	516
			Bhutan Kuen-Nyam Party	223
North Thimphu-Thromde-Kawang-Lingzhi-Naro-Soe	6,604		Druk Nyamrup Tshogpa	1,211		Dechen Wangmo	2,276
			Druk Phuensum Tshogpa	1,134		Lily Wangchuk	2,102
			People's Democratic Party	1,333
			Bhutan Kuen-Nyam Party	540
Nubi-Tangsibji	4,371		Druk Nyamrup Tshogpa	1,150		Yeshey Penjor	1,677
			Druk Phuensum Tshogpa	1,014		Nidup Zangpo	1,537
			People's Democratic Party	659
			Bhutan Kuen-Nyam Party	326
Nyishog-Saephu	10,166		Druk Nyamrup Tshogpa	3,033		Wangchuk Namgyel	4,388
			Druk Phuensum Tshogpa	1,208		Chimmi Jamtsho	3,061
			People's Democratic Party	2,530
			Bhutan Kuen-Nyam Party	935
Pangbang	7,778		Druk Phuensum Tshogpa	2,559		Dorji Wangdi	2,984
			Druk Nyamrup Tshogpa	1,151		Tshering	2,525
			People's Democratic Party	1,241
			Bhutan Kuen-Nyam Party	333
Phuentshogling	10,737		Druk Nyamrup Tshogpa	2,685		Jai Bir Rai	5,586
			Druk Phuensum Tshogpa	983		Tashi	2,380
			People's Democratic Party	2,364
			Bhutan Kuen-Nyam Party	801
Phentshogpelri-Samtse	10,806		Druk Nyamrup Tshogpa	2,045		Ganesh Ghimiray	5,332
			Druk Phuensum Tshogpa	963		Kamal Dan Chamling	2,557
			People's Democratic Party	2,463
			Bhutan Kuen-Nyam Party	1,054
Radhi-Sagteng	9,874		Druk Nyamrup Tshogpa	2,117		Dorji Tshering	3,550
			Druk Phuensum Tshogpa	2,392		Tashi Dorji	3,317
			People's Democratic Party	1,320
			Bhutan Kuen-Nyam Party	729
Sangbaykha	3,645		Druk Nyamrup Tshogpa	312		Dorjee Wangmo	1,536
			Druk Phuensum Tshogpa	315		Tshewang Rinzin	857
			People's Democratic Party	1,690
			Bhutan Kuen-Nyam Party	103
Sergithang-Tsirangtoed	11,545		Druk Nyamrup Tshogpa	2,706		Garja Man Rai	6,077
			Druk Phuensum Tshogpa	1,416		Kewal Ram Adhikari	2,945
			People's Democratic Party	2,409
			Bhutan Kuen-Nyam Party	613
Shompangkha	12,941		Druk Nyamrup Tshogpa	3,271		Tek Bahadur Rai	7,018
			Druk Phuensum Tshogpa	1,342		Deo Kumar Rimal	2,862
			People's Democratic Party	2,519
			Bhutan Kuen-Nyam Party	983
South Thiumphu-Thromde-Chang-Darkarkla-Genyen-Maedwang	7,802		Druk Nyamrup Tshogpa	1,211		Lotay Tshering	3,662
			Druk Phuensum Tshogpa	1,134		Kinley Tshering	1,978
			People's Democratic Party	1,333
			Bhutan Kuen-Nyam Party	540
Tashichhoeling	12,966		Druk Nyamrup Tshogpa	3,177		Dil Maya Rai	6,032
			Druk Phuensum Tshogpa	1,155		Durga Prasad Chhetri	3,449
			People's Democratic Party	2,610
			Bhutan Kuen-Nyam Party	1,145
Thrimshing	7,019		Druk Nyamrup Tshogpa	1,431		Ugyen Dorji	2,646
			Druk Phuensum Tshogpa	1,712		Chenga Tshering	2,459
			People's Democratic Party	1,523
			Bhutan Kuen-Nyam Party	277
Ugyentse-Yoeseltse	10,357		Druk Nyamrup Tshogpa	2,375		Dinesh Kumar Pradhan	5,353
			Druk Phuensum Tshogpa	896		Lila Pradhan	2,054
			People's Democratic Party	2,208
			Bhutan Kuen-Nyam Party	739
Wamrong	8,294		Druk Phuensum Tshogpa	2,083		Karma Thinley	2,980
			Druk Nyamrup Tshogpa	1,625		Jigme Wangdi	2,622
			People's Democratic Party	1,130
			Bhutan Kuen-Nyam Party	502
Source: ECB (first round), [5] ECB (second round) [6] Archived 2021-11-07 at the Wayback Machine

References

1. "NA 2018 general election sees a record voter turnout of 71.46%". Oct 19, 2018.
2. Bhutan announces dates for 3rd general elections Business Standard, 19 August 2018
3. Bhutan PM's party ousted in election The Hindu, 15 September 2018
4. Electoral system IPU
5. "The Detailed Results of the Primary Round Elections 2018 Conducted in the 47 Demkhongs of the 20 Dzongkhags" (PDF).
6. "Election Results: NA 2018 General Election". results.ecb.bt. Archived from the original on 2021-11-07. Retrieved 2025-09-30.