Tenzin Nyidon
DHARAMSHALA, March 18: The Election Commission of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) on Wednesday officially announced the final list of candidates for the 18th Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile (TPiE), marking the commencement of the final phase of the Tibetan general election. The announcement was made during a press conference held at the Department of Information and International Relations’ Lhakpa Tsering Hall in Dharamshala.
According to the Election Commission (EC), a total of 93 candidates will contest in the final election. The candidates include 20 representatives each from the three traditional provinces, four candidates each from the five major religious traditions, and four candidates each representing constituencies from Europe & Africa, and North & South America. Additionally, two candidates will represent Australasia. The list also includes three voluntary candidates from Dotoe, Europe & Africa, and North & South America.
Chief Election Commissioner Lobsang Yeshi announced that the formal election process begins on March 18, 2026, and emphasized that all campaign activities must cease by 5:00 PM on April 23, 2026, in accordance with election regulations. He further noted that during the preliminary elections, certain areas failed to halt campaign activities two days prior to polling, as mandated by election rules. Such violations, along with other breaches of electoral guidelines, are being treated as serious infractions by the Commission.
Addressing concerns over electoral integrity, the Commission revealed that in some locations in Nepal, preliminary voting was not conducted in full compliance with established procedures. A thorough investigation into these irregularities is currently underway. The Commission also disclosed that approximately 1,800 votes from the preliminary round have been invalidated.
The EC expressed concern over the relatively low voter turnout during the preliminary elections. Out of 91,042 registered voters, only 51,140 cast their ballots. The Commission particularly highlighted the limited participation of Tibetan students studying in colleges, many of whom were unable to vote during the preliminary phase. Urging stronger civic engagement, Chief Election Commissioner Lobsang Yeshi called on the younger generation to actively participate in the final election.
The final election for the 18th Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile is scheduled to be held on April 26, 2026, across Tibetan communities worldwide. The preliminary elections for both the President and the Parliament were successfully conducted on February 1, 2026, across 27 countries.
