Polling for Tibetan Parliament in-exile witnesses impressive turnout

Tibetans came out in large numbers to cast their ballots in the first phase of polling for the 16th Tibetan Parliament in-exile here on Sunday.

Nearly 87,179 voters will decide the fate of candidates at 46 different places, the result for which will be declared in December.

Tibetan Education Minister in-exile Ngodup Tsering said everybody here is very excited about the preliminary election.

"This is the preliminary election and the people are coming up to cast their ballot. It's a great turnout right now," he added.

Tenzin Ninjey, a voter, said there is a lot of excitement among the people casting their votes here.

"It is a powerful symbolic gesture because they are voting to elect the top leader and also members of Tibetan Parliament," he added.

The Tibetan Parliament-in-exile is a unicameral and highest legislative organ of the Central Tibetan Administration. The Parliament comprises 44 members, of which 10 are elected from U-Tsang, Do-tod and Do-med - three traditional provinces of Tibet - while the four schools of Tibetan Buddhism and the traditional Bon faith elect two members each.

Four members are elected by Tibetans living in the West - two from Europe, one from North America and one from Canada.

Five candidates, including incumbent Lobsang Sangay, are in fray for the post of Prime Minister, who is directly elected by the Tibetan community.