Exiled Tibetans elect leader

Dalai Lama steps back

Tens of thousands of exiled Tibetans voted yesterday for a new leader tasked with sustaining their struggle for greater autonomy in the Chinese-ruled province as the Dalai Lama retreats from the political frontline, reports AFP from Dharamsala. While Tibetans from across the world were geared up to vote, those in the picturesque Indian hill town of Dharamsala where the Dalai Lama lives started lining up at booths at 9:00 am (0330 GMT) to elect the next leader of the government-in-exile. One by one, hundreds including monks and nuns scribbled the names of their favourite candidates on pieces of paper and slipped them into green ballot boxes as polls were set to close around 5:00 pm.
The post of prime minister in exile was a low-profile role before the 80-year-old Tibetan spiritual leader devolved power in an attempt to lessen his own totemic status and foster a democratic setup to keep Tibet’s freedom movement alive after his death.
While many felt voting could help their campaign against Chinese rule over their Himalayan homeland, several were sceptical given the government-in-exile’s lack of effective power.

 

Exiled Tibetans elect leader

Dalai Lama steps back

Tens of thousands of exiled Tibetans voted yesterday for a new leader tasked with sustaining their struggle for greater autonomy in the Chinese-ruled province as the Dalai Lama retreats from the political frontline, reports AFP from Dharamsala. While Tibetans from across the world were geared up to vote, those in the picturesque Indian hill town of Dharamsala where the Dalai Lama lives started lining up at booths at 9:00 am (0330 GMT) to elect the next leader of the government-in-exile. One by one, hundreds including monks and nuns scribbled the names of their favourite candidates on pieces of paper and slipped them into green ballot boxes as polls were set to close around 5:00 pm. The post of prime minister in exile was a low-profile role before the 80-year-old Tibetan spiritual leader devolved power in an attempt to lessen his own totemic status and foster a democratic setup to keep Tibets freedom movement alive after his death. While many felt voting could help their campaign against Chinese rule over their Himalayan homeland, several were sceptical given the government-in-exiles lack of effective power.