Dharamshala: The Election Commission of the Central Tibetan Administration convened a press conference this morning at Lhakpa Tsering Hall, Department of Information and International Relations, to provide updates on voter registration, brief the media on the awareness programmes conducted by the Chief Election Commissioner and Additional Election Commissioners from 14 October to 8 December 2025, and address matters related to the forthcoming Tibetan General Election.
Following the successful conclusion of its awareness programmes earlier this month, the Chief Election Commissioner read the press statement and addressed frequently asked questions and other important issues concerning the election during the press conference.
Chief Election Commissioner Lobsang Yeshi disclosed that a total of 91,042 voters have been registered for the 2026 election of the Sikyong and the 18th Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile. This includes 56,749 registrations from India, Nepal, and Bhutan, and 34,293 registrations from overseas.
The Election Commission had earlier promulgated 14-point guidelines for candidates contesting the election of the Sikyong and Members of the 18th Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile during its first official press conference held on 7 October. In addition, the Commission has issued eight supplementary guidelines outlining the conduct expected of Local Election Commissioners and election officers, as well as the responsibilities that the general public must uphold to ensure the successful conduct of the upcoming election. These eight additional guidelines were read during the press conference by Additional Election Commissioner Tsering Youdon.
Additional Election Commissioner Nangsa Choedon briefed the media on the Election Commission’s decision to revoke the voting rights and candidacy of 2025–26 Sikyong candidate Tashi Topgyal (also known as Lugzi, meaning “shepherd”) for violations of the regulations stipulated in the Charter of Tibetans in Exile and the Election Commission’s electoral rules and regulations.
During the press conference, Chief Election Commissioner Lobsang Yeshi also implored candidates to actively participate in media programmes designed to introduce candidates and to engage in other public platforms aimed at enhancing voter awareness.
The press conference also marked the official launch of “I Am Tibet, I Vote for Tibet,” a documentary film that highlights the evolution of Tibetan democracy in exile, the institutional development of the Tibetan Election Commission, and the significance of the Tibetan General Election.
