Bhutan – from monarchic rule to democracy

Bhutan was an absolute monarchy until 2008, when the king introduced democracy. As in Bolivia, the democratisation process received Danish support. At the first democratic election – also in 2008 – Denmark supported Bhutan’s election commission with DKK 2.9 million (EUR 390,000). The support was used to make the Bhutanese familiar with all aspects of the election process.

Some specific results:

• A turnout of 79.9% at Bhutan’s first democratic election in 2008
• 400,000 voter instructions and ballots were printed and distributed
• 500 polling booths used in the parliamentary election were produced
• More than 6,000 electoral officers were trained during the election period

Denmark is the second largest assistance donor to Bhutan. Danish assistance cooperation with Bhutan started in 1978, and in 1989 Bhutan became a programme cooperation country for Danish development assistance.