Thimpu, Jan 17  : Bhutan’s first general elections for its 47-member National Assembly will be held on March 24, the Election Commission of Bhutan announced this morning.

The Druk Phuensum Tshogpa and the Peoples Democratic Party are the two parties that will contest country’s first historic election.

The National Assembly election period begins with the two political parties submitting the letter of intent, stating the list of their candidates, copy of their election manifestos, audited financial statues among others, on January 22 to the commission.

The party manifestos will also be released on the same day and the election campaign will formally begin.

Filing of nomination papers will commence from January 31 and will end on February 7, after which candidates can start campaigning if their nomination is accepted, the kuenselonline. com reported.

While the timing for the TV debates between the party presidents has not been announced, debates between candidates in the constituencies will start from February 7.
(ANI)