The 2021 Central Tibetan Administration general election elected its next leader, the Sikyong, for the Central Tibetan Administration, a government-in-exile of Tibet based in India. Candidate Penpa Tsering won the election and succeeded Dr. Lobsang Sangay, who had served two consecutive terms as Sikyong.Tibetan Exiles Continue Experiment in Democracy as New Elections Near, Radio Free Asia, 22 July 2020
Candidates
The first Tibetans to publicly announce their proposed candidacy for the position were former minister Dolma Gyari; former minister, representative of the Dalai Lama in America and acting president of the Tibet Fund Lobsang Nyandak; and member of parliament Acharya Yeshi Phuntsok.Choekyi Lhamo, Preparations for 2021 general elections underway, says Election Commissioner , Phayul.com, 27 July 2020
Kelsang Dorjee Aukatsang, Tashi Wangdu, and Penpa Tsering then announced their candidacies on 2 September 2020.Lobsang Tenchoe, Penpa Tsering throws his hat into 2021 Sikyong election, tibetexpress.net, 3 September 2020 Ngodup Dongchung announced his candidacy on 9 September,Tenzin Dharpo, Kasur Ngodup Dongchung to run for 2021 Sikyong election, Phayul.com, 9 September 2020 and Tashi Topgyal on 10 September.Choekyi Lhamo, Tashi Topgyal to run for Sikyong office for the second time, Phayul.com, 10 September 2020
Background
Throughout 2020, a civil society initiative called Smartvote TibetSmartvote Tibet invited Tibetans to submit questions for Sikyong and MP candidates in order to build an informed electorate. Smartvote Tibet is an initiative formed by a group of Tibetans. the candidates answer questions submitted on a wide range of current issues. Then, voters can answer the same set of questions, after which they receive a list of candidates who best match their preferences.
The project Smartvote Tibet was covered by Tibetan media outlets such as Radio Free Europe, Voice of Tibet and Phayul.
History
Hundreds of voters, most wearing facemasks, using hand sanitizer, and maintaining social distancing, voted in Dharamshala, India.
Following the primary, the two Sikyong candidates receiving the highest vote share move on to the second round. The date for the second round was set for 20 March.Choekyi Lhamo, EC declares electoral schedule for 2021 general elections, Phayul.com, 28 September 2020
References
See also Central Tibetan Administration