The National Assembly has about 151 members out of which about 105 are people’s representatives, 12 are representatives from the Monk body about 33 are representatives from the civil service. All national assembly resolutions are pre-decided by the King and his cabinet, and assembly members are briefed in advance as to what views they should present when the assembly is in session.
Candidates who stand for elections as people's representatives are normally selected and a predetermined candidate made to win. To mention one case, Sangey Wangdi, an educated young man who was at that time was also serving in the Department for Trade and Industry was elected people's representative from Haa by a huge margin and further voted by the assembly members to the post of councillor. This victory was accepted, but all of a sudden the Government alleged that he had bribed the voters and false witnesses were produced to substantiate the charges. He was made a scapegoat as he was not one of the predetermined candidates. He was disqualified and another candidate chosen to set an example for the Government's commitment to Justice.
In another case, when the National Assembly felt the need to have a Deputy Speaker to officiate in the absence of the Speaker, Jigme Thinley, and ex-police officer from Kurtey was elected to the post by the members. For reasons well known, his services were terminated within eight months in office by the Father-King Jigme without discussing with the National Assembly. Pasang Dorji was appointed as Deputy Speaker without a vote and though the normal period of office is one year, his service was extended. He was serving as the Speaker of the National Assembly.
