North America Tibetans are voting to select Sikyong and two representatives from North/South America

New York, NY 

The preliminary voting to select a New Political leader ( Sikyong) and two candidates to represent North/South Americas in the Tibetan Parliament has started. Ever since the devolution of political power to elected leadership by His Holiness The Dalai Lama in 2011, Tibetans in the diaspora had directly elected Sikyong. 

                    Pic: Lines outside Tibetan Community Center, Queens, NYC

This election is the third such electoral process. The current Sikyong, Dr. Lobsang Sangay's term will end in May 2021. Unlike previous elections, this year's election is held amid global Pandemic Covid 19, and hence normal all-out campaigning by prospective candidates vying for the coveted Post was restricted. However, the enthusiasm of the electorates was encouraging as was abundantly visible by their participation in Social Media outlets such as Zoom, BlueJean and Facebook live, etc. 

Considering the age of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the recent signing of Tibetan Policy and Support Act 2020 by the US President Donald J Trump with overwhelming Bi-partisan support from both political parties, Tibetans are taking a special interest in this year's election.