THIMPU -- The National Council election will be held on December 26 this year and gewogs can organise zomdus (meetings) to select or nominate the NC candidates from today, October 20 to November 26.

Nominated candidates can start campaigning from November 30.

The Election Commission of Bhutan announced the dates yesterday, October 19, and also the details for the National Council elections.

Candidates contesting for a seat in the National Council would first have to be accepted by the gewog. If there is only one nomination from the gewog, the zomdu will seek approval of those present through a hand count. If there is more than one nomination, each candidate will be given five minutes to address the zomdu and then voters will cast their votes on the EVM machine for the candidate of their choice, according to election commission officials.

Candidate selected at the zomdu must file in their nomination papers, countersigned by the gup, mangmi and tshogpas, not later than November 27, according to election commission officials. "We will then scrutinise the nomination of candidates to see if they fulfill all criteria on November 28," said Dasho Kunzang Wangdi.

The gewog nominated candidates will then go on to contest the election held in their dzongkhag on December 26. The candidate with the highest vote will win a seat to the National Council from that dzongkhag.

Election commission officials also announced November 30 as the last date for withdrawal of one's candidature.

The campaign fund for the candidates, whose nominations are accepted, will also be released on the same day. However, the last date for release of payment of campaign funds to the bank accounts of candidates will be on December 4.

"National Council election campaign will end on December 24, two days before poll day," said the chief election commissioner. "The results will be declared and submitted to the Druk Gyalpo on December 27."

The ECB also released the final list of polling stations on October 19. There will be 864 polling stations for the National Council elections.

The ECB also issued appointment letters to 47 national observers and 20 returning officers for a smooth election. All dzongdas have been appointed as chief electoral officers in their dzongkhags. Dungpas and dzongrabs will function as deputy chief electoral officers.