Seizure of ballot boxes: Tibetan exiles seek UN help

DHARAMSALA - The Tibetan government-in-exile has sought intervention of international organisations in getting back the ballot boxes confiscated by the police in Nepal in the recent general elections of the exiles, an official statement said here Monday.

In a communication to the United Nations (UN) and the Amnesty International, deputy speaker of the parliament-in-exile Dolma Gyari highlighted the high-handedness of the Nepal government in disrupting the elections by confiscating the ballot boxes.

“I would humbly like to submit that Sep 2, 2010, marked the 50th year of Tibetan democracy in exile. The Tibetans in exile went on primary to the election of the members of the 15th parliament-in-exile and also to that of the Kalon Tripa (prime minister) Oct 3,” she said.

“In spite of the permission granted by the competent local authorities, the Nepalese police personnel forcefully took away ballot boxes from the polling centres at Boudha and Swyambhu The parliament in exile appeals to the UN and the Amnesty International to help release the ballot boxes from the police authority,” the letter said.

Police stormed three centres in Kathmandu Valley Oct 3 where the exiles were holding the low-profile vote and seized ballot boxes despite tacit permission given earlier by the Nepali authorities.

It was part of the exercise held in India, where Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama presides over his government in exile, Bhutan, North America and wherever there is a sizeable number of Tibetan refugees.

Over 79,000 Tibetans had registered with the Tibetan Election Commission to elect a new prime minister and 44 other officials. Of the voters, around 20,000 are from Nepal.