Winners in Bhutan vote include graduates

The secluded Himalayan nation of Bhutan will begin its transformation from an absolute monarchy to a democracy with several leaders fresh out of college at the helm, election officials announced.

The successful national vote caps a dramatic turn toward democracy that saw the abdication of the king, two mock elections for practice, and comedians, actors and teachers competing as candidates.

Election officials announced late Tuesday the 15 members elected to the country's upper house in the first-ever national poll, held the day before. The winners included two women in their mid-20s, both recent college graduates, and a 27-year-old man whose first job since finishing school will be sitting in the upper house, officials said.

King Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuck, who will become the head of state later this year, is a 27-year-old Oxford graduate.

"It is good to see young graduates coming forward to serve the people as their representatives," said Sonam Tshgyel, a journalist with the state-run Bhutan Broadcasting Service.

The upper house, known as the National Council, will act as a conduit on matters of national security and sovereignty between Wangchuck and parliament, which will be elected in February.

Another round of elections for the upper house will be held on Jan. 29 in the five remaining districts where no candidates were found in time. The king will select another five members.

Candidates have to be at least 25, have college degrees, and no criminal record.

The path toward parliamentary elections began last year when former King Jigme Singhye Wangchuck announced he was handing over power to his son.

Before abdicating, he circulated a draft constitution that would end almost 100 years of monarchical rule. Under the plan, which comes into effect later this year, the king will become head of state, but parliament will have the power to impeach him by a two-thirds vote.

For decades, Bhutan's monarchs tried to shield the country — sandwiched between India and China — from the outside world. International media were allowed into the country only in 1974 and television only arrived in 1999.

Only 6,000 foreign tourists are allowed to visit per year, restricted to carefully supervised tours to protect Bhutan's unique environment and culture.

Smoking is forbidden and mountain-climbing is banned to preserve the pristine forests that cover most of the country.

Even the size of the country's population is unknown — estimates put it between 700,000 and 2.2 million.