The final round of Bhutan's second-ever parliamentary elections began Saturday, according to dpa. An estimated 400,000 voters are eligible to choose between the incumbent Druk Phuensum Tshogpa and the People's Democratic Party for the 47-member National Assembly. The elections are being seen as a verdict on the five years of democracy in the Himalayan kingdom. The former king initiated the transformation from a centuries-old monarchy to a parliamentary democracy. Both parties are loyal to the king, and the monarch is consulted on important issues. Despite heavy rains and landslides, polling stations were set up even in the remotest regions, an Election Commission spokesman said. The last of the 850 polling stations was set up Friday. The results were expected to be announced Sunday morning.
