Speaker Pema Jungney reading votes during the secret ballot to appoint Chief Justice Commissioner of Tibetan Supreme Justice Commission

Dharamsala: Chaired by Speaker Pema Jungney, the third day of the ongoing General Session commenced with election of Chief Justice Commissioner, Justice Commissioner and Public Service Commissioner and Chief Election Commissioner.

Deputy Speaker Acharya Yeshi Phuntsok along with Parliamentary Secretariat staff counting vote during the secret ballot to elect Chief Justice Commissioner.

In accordance to the sub-clause 1 of Clause (63) Article (VI) enshrined in the Charter of Tibetans in exile, the candidates for Chief Justice Commissioner viz. Mr. Sonam Norbu Dagpo, Secretary, Department of Information and International Relations, CTA and Mr. Ngodup Dorjee, former Representative of Office of Tibet, Geneva and candidates for Justice Commissioner viz. Mr. Tenzin Lungtok, Secretary, Department of Religion, CTA and Mr. Tsewang Ngodup, Additional Secretary of Audit General were nominated by the ad hoc ‘Nomination Committee’, which was constituted by the Chief Justice Commissioner, the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker of the Tibetan Parliament, and the Sikyong of Central Tibetan Administration.

Sikyong Dr. Lobsang Sangay handing over names of candidates to Speaker Pema Jungney through Secretary General Lhakhang Topgyal Tsering

The ad hoc committee comprises of former Chief Justice Commissioner Phunrab Lobsang Dhargyal, former Chief Justice Commissioner Mr Jhadur Sonam Sangpo, and former Kalon Tsering Phuntsok.

Mr. Sonam Norbu Dagpo, newly elected Chief Justice Commissioner of Tibetan Supreme Justice Commission, CTA

In the secret ballot, Mr. Sonam Norbu Dagpo secured 30 votes against 8 votes for Mr. Ngodup Dorjee with 1 invalid and 3 blank votes, electing Mr. Sonam Norbu Dagpo as the Chief Justice Commissioner of the Tibetan Supreme Justice Commission, while Mr. Tenzin Lungtok was elected Justice Commissioner by securing 28 votes against 11 votes for Mr. Tsewang Ngodup, with 1 blank and 2 invalid votes.

Mr. Tenzin Lungtok, newly elected Justice Commissioner of Tibetan Supreme Justice Commission, CTA

Subsequently, In accordance with the sub-clause 1 of Clause (97) Article (VII) and the sub-clause 1 of Clause (101) Article (IX), the candidates for election of Public Service Commissioner and Chief Election Commissioner viz. Mr. Wangdue Tsering Pesur, Secretary of Department of Home, CTA and Mr. Tashi Gyatso Shadrung, Secretary of Tibetan Supreme Justice Commission were nominated by the ad hoc ‘Nomination Committee’, comprising of former Kalon Tsering Phuntsok, former Chief Election Commissioner Mr. Tekhang Namgyal Dorjee, and Mr. Dorjee former member of Public Service Commission, were read out in the House by the Speaker and then put to vote.

Mr. Wangdue Tsering Pesur, newly elected Public Service Commissioner and Chief Election Commissioner of CTA

Thereby, Mr. Wangdue Tsering Pesur was elected Public Service Commissioner and Chief Election Commissioner by securing 23 votes against 18 votes for Mr. Tashi Gyatso Shadrung with 1 invalid vote.

Kalon Khorlatsang Sonam Topgyal providing clarification to the questions asked by the Parliamentarians

The session continued with debate and discussion over the 2018-19 report of Department of Home, Kalon Khorlatsang Sonam Topgyal of Department of Home, provided requisite answers and clarifications to the questions raised by the Members of Parliament.

Tommorow’s session will have ‘report reading and its examiniation’ of the Department of Finance.

The House adjourned at 5:54 pm till 9:30 am of the next morning.