Bhutan Broadcasting Service (BBS) has a new Managing Director. She is Pema Choden, who has joined the national broadcaster from the Foreign Ministry. Ms Choden, who headed the ministry's Policy and Planning Division, succeeds Mingbo Dukpa. He has resigned as Managing Director to enter politics, and will run as a candidate for the newly formed People's Democratic Party in Bhutan's upcoming elections.
The country's first democratic elections are due to be held in two rounds in February and March next year. The polls will signal an end to the absolute monarchy and the start of constitutional democracy.
The country's first democratic elections are due to be held in two rounds in February and March next year. The polls will signal an end to the absolute monarchy and the start of constitutional democracy.
Mr Dukpa headed BBS for more than four years. The BBS website quoted him as saying he would contest the Deothang-Gomdhar constituency in southeastern Bhutan near the Indian border.
He is among a number of senior government officials who have quit their jobs to enter politics as the elections approach.
Meanwhile, BBS radio has extended its reach by inaugurating a new 100 kilowatt shortwave transmitter. Installed with financial support from India, the receiver will enable BBS to reach listeners as far afield as New Zealand and the Netherlands.
Friday 17 Aug 2007
(Source: Alokesh Gupta, New Delhi, India)