Tenzin Nyidon
DHARAMSHALA, Feb. 13: The Election Commission of the Central Tibetan Administration on Friday formally declared incumbent President Penpa Tsering re-elected for the top office of the exile Tibetan polity securing a second term in office, with a decisive mandate, securing 61.025 percent of the total votes cast in the preliminary election.
The announcement was made during a press conference held at Lhakpa Tsering Hall of the Department of Information and International Relations in Dharamshala. According to the Election Commission, the incumbent President garnered 31,325 ballots, crossing the 60 percent threshold stipulated under Article 67 Section 4 of the Election Rules and Regulations.
The Election Commission (EC) reported that 51,140 voters cast their ballots out of 91,042 registered voters worldwide, reflecting a voter turnout of 56.17 percent. A total of 103 candidates contested the preliminary race for the presidency. Among the top three candidates announced in the final tally, the incumbent President Penpa Tsering secured 31,325 votes (61.025%), Kelsang Dorjee Aukatsang received 17,843 votes, and Tsering Phuntsok garnered 159 votes.
The EC issued a notice regarding voter registration for those who have not yet enrolled. In accordance with Article 18 of the Election Rules and Regulations, the voter registration period has been set from February 15, 2026, to March 15, 2026. During this period, individuals who have newly reached the eligible voting age of 18, and those who were unable to register during the preliminary election, are required to complete their voter registration at their respective local election offices.
The Commission also announced the preliminary results for the 18th Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile, outlining the distribution of candidates across traditional provinces, religious traditions, and regional constituencies. Under the provincial constituencies, each of the three traditional provinces — U-Tsang, Dotoe, and Domey — has fielded 30 preliminary candidates. From this pool, the top 20 candidates in each province will advance to the final phase of the election.
From U-Tsang, the new candidates ranking within the top 20 are: Kongtsa Lhamo Tsering, Lhakpa Tsering, Tsering Siten, Lhatse Dawa Tsering, Gonpo Dhondup, Janyel Tsering Lhakyab, Kalsang Youdon, Tsering Tharchin, Geshe Lobsang Samdup, Tenzin Yangzom, and Sonam Tobgyal. From Dotoe, the new candidates placed within the top 20 include: Gyaltsen Choekyi, Ngawang Lodoe, Tulku Jamyang Yonten, Sangay Dorjee, Kunchok Rinchen, Yangchen Dolkar, Dawa Tsering, Ngochen Penpa Tsering, Waho Tenzin, Tsering Yangzom, Ugyen Tashi, Ugyen Dorjee, Sonam Wangdue, and Lhundup Dorjee. From Domey, the new candidates among the top 20 are: Tenzin Palmo, Lharong, Lhamo Kyab, Ugyen Kyab, Thupten Lungrik, Dawa Tashi, Tenzin Choedak, Mewu Wangzin Lhamo, Lhalung Gyal, Lhamo Tashi, Tenzin Choephel, and Sherab Dorjee.
Under the religious constituencies, the Commission announced the top six candidates from each tradition, of whom the top four will proceed to the final round of the election. From the Nyingma tradition, the new candidates advancing within the top four are Gyaenbu Sonam and Teygo Yarphel. From the Kagyu tradition, the new entrants among the top four are Lama Thinley and Karma Tenpa Wangchuk. From the Sakya tradition, the new candidates securing places in the top four are Jamyang Gonpo and Lobsang Gyaltsen. From the Gelug tradition, the new candidates advancing to the final phase are Geshe Namgyal Gyaltsen and Phurbu Samdup. From the Bon tradition, the new candidates ranked within the top four are Bara Tsewang Tashi, Namkha Gyalsten, and Sonam Gyaltsen.
In the regional constituencies, the EC announced the top six candidates, with the top four advancing to the final round of the election. In North America, a notable shift was observed, as all four candidates advancing to the final phase are new entrants: Tseten Phuntsok, Godruk Kalsang Phuntsok, Kunga Thinley, and Kalsang Phuntsok Jungney. From Europe and Africa, the new candidates among the top four are Tenzin Yangkar, Ngawang Tenpa, and Drongpa Tsang Ngoedun Gyatso. From Asia (excluding India, Nepal, and Bhutan) and Australasia, the top four new candidates are Kalsang Tsering, Sonam Dorjee, and Lobsang Lungtok.
The Tibetan electorates in exile will go to the polls once again during the final elections to elect their parliamentary representatives on April 26, 2026.
