𝐄𝐂𝐁 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐂𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐜 𝐄𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐞 𝐃𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐜𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐜 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧

… 𝒎𝒂𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒆𝒍𝒆𝒄𝒕𝒐𝒓𝒂𝒍 𝒌𝒏𝒐𝒘𝒍𝒆𝒅𝒈𝒆 𝒎𝒐𝒓𝒆 𝒂𝒄𝒄𝒆𝒔𝒔𝒊𝒃𝒍𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝑩𝒉𝒖𝒕𝒂𝒏𝒆𝒔𝒆, 𝒆𝒔𝒑𝒆𝒄𝒊𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒚 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒕𝒉 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒓𝒖𝒓𝒂𝒍 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒎𝒖𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒆𝒔

By Kezang Choden

The Election Commission of Bhutan (ECB) has launched a series of initiatives aimed at strengthening its Civic Education Programme (CEP) to promote a deeper understanding of the electoral process and democratic values, with a particular focus on youth and first-time voters.

Key among these initiatives is the establishment of Democracy Clubs in schools and educational institutions, facilitating student elections to select school leaders. These activities are designed to encourage early and meaningful participation in democratic practices.

To enhance outreach, the ECB has revised its CEP module to target six Key Population Groups (KPGs): rural communities, urban residents, women, youth, students, and persons with disabilities. The updated module offers tailored content that addresses the unique needs and interests of each group, utilizing engaging formats such as visually stimulating presentations, audio-visual content, and interactive games to foster awareness about elections and democracy.

The revised module was pilot-tested in 2024 across three dzongkhags- Haa, Tsirang, and Trashigang- and refined based on feedback from approximately 297 participants. Following these improvements, the module is now being implemented in nine dzongkhags, with plans to extend it to the remaining eight during the 2025-26 financial year. Feedback from 2,254 participants indicates that the revised CEP module has significantly enhanced understanding of democratic values and instilled a stronger sense of civic responsibility.

While the CEP equips citizens with knowledge of electoral processes and the importance of participation in elections, it also emphasizes core democratic principles such as equality, accountability, and transparency. This distinction is vital in nurturing an informed, responsible, and active citizenry.

Although civic education is not part of the formal school and college curriculum, the ECB has been collaborating with the Ministry of Education and Skills Development (MoESD) to promote education and awareness related to elections and democracy through alternative strategies. One such initiative is the establishment of Democracy Clubs in schools nationwide. These clubs have proven effective in fostering early understanding among young minds about Bhutan’s democratic system, electoral processes, and civic responsibilities.

In addition to Democracy Clubs, many schools observe National Voters’ Day (NVD) on September 15 annually, further strengthening civic awareness among students. However, the ECB has faced challenges in observing NVD on a full scale post-COVID-19 due to resource constraints. Despite this, the ECB remains committed to working closely with the MoESD to explore the possibility of integrating civic education into the formal curriculum in the future.

The ECB is also striving to ensure that civic education is inclusive and accessible to all sections of the Bhutanese population, with a particular focus on remote and rural communities where access to information is often limited. To strengthen delivery at the grassroots level, the ECB conducts Training of Trainers (ToT) programs in the dzongkhags.

hese trainings are cascaded down to the Gewog and Chiwog levels by Dzongkhag Electoral Officers, with coordination support from Gewog Administrative Officers (GAOs), effectively extending civic education into rural areas.

Currently, the ECB is rolling out the CEP in nine dzongkhags: Chhukha, Gasa, Lhuentse, Mongar, Punakha, Samdrup Jongkhar, Samtse, Wangdue Phodrang, and Zhemgang, following a successful pilot phase in three dzongkhags. Three teams from the Head Office, each led by a Commissioner, have been deployed to oversee the rollout. Two teams have completed their programs, and the third is expected to conclude shortly. Feedback collected from the dzongkhags will be reviewed to further refine the CEP module before its implementation in the remaining eight dzongkhags.

Although CEP activities have so far been limited to the Dzongkhag level due to budget constraints, the ECB hopes to extend them to the Gewog and Chiwog levels in the near future with financial support from the Royal Government of Bhutan.

The ECB has taken comprehensive measures to ensure that the CEP remains non-partisan, promoting a neutral and inclusive understanding of the democratic process. These measures are rooted in the Constitution of Bhutan, the Election Act of the Kingdom of Bhutan, and other electoral laws, which mandate the ECB to conduct free and fair elections by creating a level playing field. Guided by the Election Act, the ECB is committed to maintaining neutrality, independence, and impartiality in all electoral affairs, including civic education.

The CEP is fact-based and focuses on promoting democratic values, citizens’ rights and responsibilities, and the electoral process. It deliberately avoids disseminating information related to political ideologies, party affiliations, or biases based on sex, ethnicity, religion, caste, creed, or region. Key democratic principles promoted through the CEP include the will of the people, rule of law, separation of powers, respect for fundamental rights, free and fair elections, pluralism, political tolerance, citizen participation, accountability, and transparency. These principles are presented in a manner that reinforces civic responsibility and democratic engagement among citizens.

During election periods, the ECB facilitates Common Forums and Dhamngoi Zomdus uniformly across all constituencies to ensure equal opportunities for all candidates and political parties to present their manifestos and pledges to the electorate. Civic education programs are also conducted during non-election periods to maintain continuous public engagement. In all civic education efforts, the ECB upholds the principles of neutrality, credibility, and inclusivity, ensuring that the CEP remains a trusted and empowering tool for all citizens of Bhutan. The ECB also conducts civic and voter education activities in a non-partisan setting, without the involvement of any political parties.

Previously, the ECB conducted intensive civic and voter education programs primarily just before elections. However, findings from successive Learning from Experience Programs (LEP) have highlighted the need for sustained civic education even during non-election periods, following a noticeable decline in voter participation.

Earlier, voter education mainly focused on electoral processes, voter information, dos and don’ts, and issues related to electoral corruption. However, as consistently raised during successive LEPs, the ECB recognized the need to implement comprehensive civic education programs throughout the electoral cycle. Regardless of whether it is civic education or voter education, the ECB’s main focus remains on ensuring free and fair elections.

The content of civic and voter education remains consistent for all participants and is distributed equitably, customized based on the needs of key populations rather than regions. To maximize participation and engagement, these programs are scheduled during lean farming seasons, allowing more community members to attend.

Going forward, the ECB is committed to conducting civic education programs during non-election periods, recognizing their critical role in fostering an informed and engaged electorate. While the core principles of the CEP content remain consistent, adaptations are made to reflect the specific concerns, needs, and aspirations of each KPG. These variations are intentional and are designed to make civic education more relevant and effective. Furthermore, the content of the CEP is continuously reviewed and refined, incorporating feedback from participants to ensure the program remains responsive, relevant, and impactful.

The ECB believes that once civic education programs in the 12 dzongkhags are completed, there will be an opportunity to further improve the content. To enhance accessibility, the content will be made available in both Dzongkha and English.

In preparation for the Parliamentary Elections 2023–24, the ECB is conducting a continuous and comprehensive Civic Education Program to ensure voters across all Dzongkhags and Gewogs are well-informed about their electoral rights and responsibilities. To promote informed and inclusive participation, the ECB adopted several Voter Education Strategies.

Civic and Voter Education (CVE) programs have been rolled out at the grassroots level, tailored to the needs of local communities. In addition, the ECB organized Training of Trainers (ToT) programs for Dzongkhag Electoral Officials to ensure consistent and effective voter education at the Gewog and Chiwog levels. Inclusive programs for Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) have also been a priority. CVE sessions were conducted at the Draktsho Vocational Training Center for Special Children and Youth in Thimphu, Wangsel Institute for the Deaf in Paro, and Muenselling Institute at Khaling in Trashigang, encouraging greater participation of PwDs in the electoral process.

Through a multi-pronged approach, citizens are consistently encouraged to participate in Dhamngoi Zomdus, Common Forums, Public Debates, and other electoral events organized by the ECB or Dzongkhag Electoral Authorities. These initiatives aim to help voters make informed decisions when choosing their candidates. The ECB is also advising voters to verify the credibility of information sources and assess the authenticity, accuracy, reliability, and timeliness of election-related information. Voters are encouraged to read party manifestos and candidates’ pledges available from reliable sources, including the official ECB website. The strategies are designed to empower citizens with the knowledge needed to understand their choices and the values represented by each candidate, ultimately strengthening Bhutan’s democratic process.

The ECB has consistently leveraged digital platforms such as Facebook and YouTube to share content aimed at engaging and informing young people on democracy and voter participation. While the ECB has yet to actively use real-time digital discussions with younger audiences, it has produced a variety of posters, videos, and blogs to help youth better understand democratic principles and the importance of active participation. To further facilitate youth engagement, the ECB regularly uploads this content on its official website, ensuring consistent access to important civic messages. The Commission also maintains an official Facebook page where young people are encouraged to ask questions. Timely and accurate responses are provided to promote ongoing interaction and clarification.

Looking ahead, the ECB plans to explore interactive platforms such as Google Meet, Zoom, and webinars to host live sessions and question-and-answer forums. These online engagements are expected to offer young audiences meaningful opportunities to ask questions, express their views, and participate in discussions on electoral processes, civic responsibilities, and democratic values.

In addition, the ECB has revised its Civic and Electoral Education Programme module for the Youth Khadhar Participation Group to better suit their interests and learning styles. The updated program features visually engaging presentations, interactive games, and quizzes that encourage active participation. It also creates space for young people to seek clarification, share their thoughts, and engage in meaningful dialogue, making the learning process more dynamic and impactful. The ECB remains optimistic about the potential of digital platforms to deepen its engagement with young citizens and sees this as an essential step in strengthening Bhutan’s democratic evolution.

While there is no formal partnership with Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), the ECB has engaged in meaningful collaboration with select CSOs, notably the Bhutan Centre for Media and Democracy (BCMD). During the 2023–2024 Parliamentary Elections, BCMD developed a series of audio-visual awareness materials. These resources were reviewed and endorsed by the ECB and proved highly effective in raising public awareness and promoting informed participation across the country.

As Bhutan’s democratic journey continues to evolve, fostering inclusive and diverse partnerships is becoming increasingly important. In this context, the ECB remains open and committed to engaging with relevant CSOs to further strengthen its Civic and Voter Education (CVE) initiatives. The ECB maintains that such collaboration will always be guided by its fundamental mandate to ensure free, fair, and transparent elections. At the same time, the Commission is focused on advancing civic education and enhancing citizen participation across the nation.

The ECB has adopted a comprehensive approach to evaluating its CEP by collecting detailed feedback from every participant after each session. Participants who are literate provide their feedback online, while those who are illiterate are assisted by ECB staff to submit their responses in written form. From the first three dzongkhags where the program was implemented, the ECB received 297 feedback submissions regarding the content and delivery methods of the CEP. Following a thorough review by the Commission, the feedback helped to improve the civic education module used during the pilot phase.

Similarly, during the recent rollout of the CEP in nine dzongkhags, it was observed that the presentation slides were lengthy. The teams in the field discussed and jointly reviewed the materials, streamlining the slides to make them more concise and effective. This allowed timely improvements to be made during the sessions themselves. In addition, the teams collected feedback from eight out of the nine dzongkhags, totaling 2,254 responses. A review committee will examine these responses in detail to incorporate necessary improvements before the program is rolled out in the remaining eight dzongkhags.

During the civic education sessions, participants were not only encouraged to fill out the feedback questionnaires but were also given opportunities to ask questions and suggest ways to further enhance the program. This systematic and continuous engagement with participants and other key stakeholders ensures that the Civic Education Program remains effective, relevant, and responsive to the needs of all voters.