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Dharamshala April 10- Samdhong Rinpoche has once again swept the preliminary round of the election for the Kalon Tripa's office with a record 82.6 % of votes cast. The results of the preliminary election for the second directly elected Kalon Tripa were announced today by the Chief Election Commissioner Tashi Phuntsok.
The election was held on 18 March this year in India, Nepal, Bhutan, Europe, North America, Japan, Australia and Taiwan. There were 72,771 voters registered out of which 37,421 voters (51.42% of the total voters registered) actually cast their ballot.
Six shortlisted candidates who secured the highest numbers of votes are
1.Prof. Samdhong Rinpoche - 30,934 votes - 82.66 %
2.Juchen Thupten Namgyal - 2,604 votes - 6.96 %
3.Gyalo Thondup - 488 votes - 1.30 %
4.Jetsun Pema - 477 votes - 1.27 %
5.Lodi G. Gyari - 368 votes - 0.98 %
6.Tulku Ugyen Topgyal - 177 votes - 0.47 %
The shortlisted candidates must file their nominations within 20 days of the announcement of the results if they wish to stand in the final elections. The final round of elections for the Kalon Tripa is scheduled to be held on 3 June 2006.
Analysts believe that the second direct election for the Kalon Tripa will be a one man contest with the former academician enjoying a strong majority of voters and the Dalai Lama's confidence.
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