By Tendar Tsering

DHARAMSHALA, May 28: The National Democratic Party of Tibet elected a new team of executive members yesterday at the final day of its three-day 6th National Convention held in Dharamshala.

Gelek Jamyang, a young Tibetan college graduate was elected as its new president for a three-year term.

Speaking to Phayul, Jamyang said he was “honoured” to be elected to the post.

“I am greatly honoured with the new responsibility entrusted in my by the party members,” Jamyang said. “Because of my long association with the regional chapter of the Tibetan Youth Congress in Chandigarh, I am confident that I can shoulder the Party’s mandate.”

The newly elected president also expressed his happiness at his team and added that individual posts within the party will be shortly filled after a meeting of the new executives.

“I am happy that in this term, almost all the elected executives are young and college educated,” Jamyang said. “We are also glad to have a female in the team.”

Other elected central executive members include Yangkhu Gyal, Karma Yangdrup, Loga, Tenzin Phuntsok, Tsetan Norbu, Namzey, Gyaltsen, Tsering Dorjee, Thaye Gyatso, and Paljor.

Dawa Phunkyi and Ghang Lhamo, both members of the Tibetan parliament presided over the elections of the new executives.

During the three-day national convention, the party deliberated on proposals to amend certain rules and policies of the party and brainstormed on political activities aimed at the restoration Tibet’s independence.

NDPT is the only political party functioning under the exile Tibetan democratic set-up. Although, not recognised as a political party by the Central Tibetan Administration, as currently the Charter of the Tibetans in exile has no provision for multi-party democracy, NDPT has been participating in the Tibetan general elections with its own list of candidates.

Founded on September 2, 1994, Tibetan Democracy Day, NDPT currently has over 5000 members under 36 regional chapters in India, Nepal and Bhutan.