The extended family is a distinct Bhutanese phenomenon. Uncles, aunts, cousins ... our bonds are strong and we generally tend to listen to each other.

In the new political environment, the extended family system is being put to best use, if not exploited. Many are discovering kith and kin they heard of but never met.

Today, it is no big surprise to get introduced to a new cousin, a new uncle, or a new in-law as party workers visit door-to-door garnering support for political parties.

"I didn't know I had an influential relative until recently," said an army officer, adding that his family members were asked to distribute a political party's membership registration forms.

Last week, a couple was registering supporters in Babesa for the party they were backing. The couple counted the family members and handed out eight forms. "It's voluntary and free," said the couple and went on to explain why their party should be supported.

The general agreement is that where party workers fail, family members or relatives succeed, in getting support.

"When one vote can make a difference, think about a whole family or even a village," said a Druk Phuensum Tshogpa candidate, who recently returned from his familiarization trip of the east.

Observers say the close bonds that exist in Bhutanese society could be exploited. "It's very apparent that most rural voters would vote for a candidate from their village or gewog," said an observer. "When voters say that they know the candidate or that he or she is from their village, it is an indication that they might vote for them."

Another observed that there was enough evidence from the gup election, where many voters chose to vote in the candidate from their village.

In rural Bhutan, it goes beyond the advantage of extended family. Given the topography of villages, communities have deep ties because they are dependent on each other.

An aspiring National Council candidate pointed out the same concern when he said that rural voters were largely illiterate, and may not make independent voting decisions. "They will vote based on what their family members and relatives collectively think," he said. "It will be collective voting, determined by elderly or influential members of the family."

For example, when a gewog decides to vote because the candidate is one of theirs, the voting pattern could possibly be determined by a kinship network or traditional loyalties, in influencing people of that gewog to vote as a collective entity rather than an individual.

Party candidates say that the advantage of having an extended family transcends their own constituency. "I have my in-laws in Punakha and they are helping my friend there," said a candidate from Trashiyangtse. The candidate boasts the support of seven villages because of the strong presence of his relatives. "It is our responsibility to tell voters to make wise choices, but I was approached by people saying that they knew my uncle or my in-laws," he said.

However, in urban Bhutan and among educated voters, it might not work. "I registered myself, but I don't want to interfere with my two children's decisions," said Yeshey Choden, a businesswoman in Thimphu. "We are talking about democracy and democracy should begin at home."

Many admitted that it was not ideal to rely on relative-based support, but agree that the tradition of an extended family has become another strategy. The upshot this time may not be all good, at least in choosing a government.