The Himalayan nation of Bhutan went to vote on Tuesday (Jan 9) morning to elect its fourth National Assembly, the 47-seat lower house of Bhutan's bicameral legislature.

The Himalayan nation of Bhutan went to vote on Tuesday (Jan 9) morning to elect its fourth National Assembly, the 47-seat lower house of Bhutan's bicameral legislature. The picturesque landlocked country of Bhutan, with a population of 770,000 finds itself nestled between two powerhouses, India and China - making it a major actor in the geopolitics of the region. The country has a unique two-round electoral system. The first round of the elections was held in November last year, in which the ruling Druk Nyamrup Tshogpa (DNT) came in fourth place and was disqualified from the subsequent round. People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and the Bhutan Tendrel Party (BTP) qualified for the second round and are currently vying to receive keys to the parliament. PDP is being led by former prime minister Tshering Tobgay who is seen as a pro-India voice that aligns with New Delhi's strategic interests. Meanwhile, BTP, Bhutan's youngest political party registered in January 202023, is led by “Dasho” Pema Chewang - a former bureaucrat. Challenges for Bhutan One of the biggest poll planks has been the rising unemployment in the country. According to the World Bank, the youth unemployment rate in Bhutan stands at 29 per cent which can be a direct result of the tepid economic growth, averaging 1.7 per cent over the past five years. Additionally, the country is facing a migration crisis with the youth preferring to venture abroad in hopes of better opportunities. Australia has emerged as the top destination for the Bhutanese youngsters. According to local reports, around 15,000 Bhutanese were issued visas there in the 12 months to last July, which is more than the preceding six years combined. The tourism sector is yet to recover from the shock of the COVID-19 pandemic and it was perhaps one of the reasons why DNT suffered a drubbing in the first round. The party looked out of sorts during the pandemic, which affected the livelihoods of the voters, who showed their anger while casting the ballot. Watch | Maldives-India Row: WION speaks to Maldives MP Mickail Naseem × Apart from the socio-economic problems, Bhutan has also been lagging on its longstanding policy of prioritising “Gross National Happiness”. Both parties have said they are committed to the constitutionally enshrined philosophy of measuring the country's success by the “happiness and well-being of the people”. Also read | Elections for stability or turbulence? What 2024 will bring for capitals of Indian subcontinent New Delhi will be keeping a close eye on the Bhutanese elections, considering the play China has been making in the region. A pro-Indian government that may attempt to double down on ties with New Delhi will be the best outcome for both India and Bhutan. For New Delhi, a pro-Indian government, especially after the Maldives elected President Mohamed Muizzu (pro-China voice), it would be reassuring to have an administration that can be trusted on all counts. (With inputs from agencies)

Bhutan general elections: Himalayan nation goes to polls as New Delhi keeps a close watch

Bhutan has become the latest country to roll back archaic anti-homosexuality laws. A joint sitting of country's parliament has decided to decriminalise homosexuality.

Bhutan Parliament scraps anti-gay laws, change awaits Bhutanese king's assent

A joint sitting of both houses of&nbsp;Bhutan’s parliament approved a bill on Thursday to legalize gay sex, making the tiny Himalayan kingdom the latest Asian nation to take steps towards easing restrictions on same-sex relationships.

Sections 213 and 214 of the penal code had criminalised “unnatural sex”, widely interpreted as homosexuality.

Lawmaker Ugyen Wangdi, the vice chairperson of a joint panel considering the changes, said 63 of the total 69 members of both houses of parliament had voted in favour of amending the code to scrap the provision. Six members were absent.

“Homosexuality will not be considered as unnatural sex now,” Wangdi told Reuters by phone from the&nbsp;Bhutanese capital of Thimphu, without giving details.

The changes still need to be approved by the King of&nbsp;Bhutan&nbsp;to become a law.

Rights activist Tashi Tsheten said he was "thrilled and really happy" over the parliamentary move, calling it a “victory” for the LGBT+ community.

“I think the bill being passed on Human Rights Day itself is a momentous day for everyone in&nbsp;Bhutan,” Tsheten, the director of LGBT+ group, Rainbow&nbsp;Bhutan, told Reuters.

“I believe everyone who has stood up for the LGBT+ community in&nbsp;Bhutan&nbsp;is going to celebrate today as this is our victory”.

The move by the majority-Buddhist nation of 800,000 people comes after other Asian countries relaxed restrictions on the rights of the LGBT+ people.

Neighbouring India removed a centuries-old colonial prohibition on gay sex in 2018, triggering celebration across the country.

In Nepal, authorities will count LGBT+ people for the first time in the national census next year to help sexual minorities gain better access to education and health schemes.

Bhutan&nbsp;is famous for its "gross national happiness" index as an alternative to gross domestic product to indicate real economic progress or development.

A joint sitting of both houses of Bhutan’s parliament approved a bill on Thursday to legalize gay sex, making the tiny Himalayan kingdom the latest Asian nation to take steps towards easing restrictions on same-sex relationships.

A joint sitting of both houses of Bhutan’s parliament approved a bill on Thursday to legalize gay sex, making the tiny Himalayan kingdom the latest Asian nation to take steps towards easing restrictions on same-sex relationships. Sections 213 and 214 of the penal code had criminalised “unnatural sex”, widely interpreted as homosexuality. Lawmaker Ugyen Wangdi, the vice chairperson of a joint panel considering the changes, said 63 of the total 69 members of both houses of parliament had voted in favour of amending the code to scrap the provision. Six members were absent. “Homosexuality will not be considered as unnatural sex now,” Wangdi told Reuters by phone from the Bhutanese capital of Thimphu, without giving details. The changes still need to be approved by the King of Bhutan to become a law. Rights activist Tashi Tsheten said he was "thrilled and really happy" over the parliamentary move, calling it a “victory” for the LGBT+ community. “I think the bill being passed on Human Rights Day itself is a momentous day for everyone in Bhutan,” Tsheten, the director of LGBT+ group, Rainbow Bhutan, told Reuters. “I believe everyone who has stood up for the LGBT+ community in Bhutan is going to celebrate today as this is our victory”. The move by the majority-Buddhist nation of 800,000 people comes after other Asian countries relaxed restrictions on the rights of the LGBT+ people. Neighbouring India removed a centuries-old colonial prohibition on gay sex in 2018, triggering celebration across the country. In Nepal, authorities will count LGBT+ people for the first time in the national census next year to help sexual minorities gain better access to education and health schemes. Bhutan is famous for its "gross national happiness" index as an alternative to gross domestic product to indicate real economic progress or development.

Bhutan parliament decriminalises homosexuality, to delight of activists

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Bhutan general elections: Himalayan nation goes to polls as New Delhi keeps a close watch

Bhutan Parliament scraps anti-gay laws, change awaits Bhutanese king's assent

Bhutan parliament decriminalises homosexuality, to delight of activists