DHARAMSHALA: Exercising their democratic rights, Tibetans in exile today came out in strong numbers to vote in the preliminary election for Sikyong (political leader) and members of the 16th Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile.
The 2016 general election for Sikyong of the 15th Kashag and members of the 16th Tibetan Parliament is the second direct election of the Tibetan leadership since the complete devolution of political authority by His Holiness the Dalai Lama in 2011.
In Dharamshala, the capital of the Tibetan diaspora, polling stations were set up at 10 different locations. Tibetan residents came in droves to cast their votes at their respective polling booths.
Enthusiastic voters braved the scorching October sun and long lines that stretched down the road to cast their votes at a polling station in Gangchen Kyishong, the seat of the Central Tibetan Administration.
Similar voter turnouts were reported from all the Tibetan settlements and Tibetan communities across India and the world.
The final round of voting is scheduled to take place on 20 March 2016.
