The first round of the polls threw up a surprise as the results rejected the incumbent government, placing Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay and his People’s Democratic Party in the third place.

The first two places were grabbed by the Druk Nyamrup Tshogpa Party (DNT) and Druk Phuensum Tshogpa Party (DPT) respectively.

The DNT won 92,722 votes out of the 291,098 votes cast through electronic voting machine (EVM) and postal ballot.

Finishing second, the DPT won 90,020 votes.

Meanwhile, experts have said that neighbouring India will have to work doubly hard to sustain its relationship with the Buddhist majority country.

The silver lining for India is the positive outlook towards the Indo-Bhutan bond by both the finalists.

Though New Delhi is yet to comment on the primary results, reports said that it will work closely with whoever forms the government.

The final result is still very open, as both the contesting parties have done well in the primary stage.

Conceding defeat, Tobgay wrote on Facebook: "I would like to congratulate the President of Druk Nyamrup Tshogpa and the President of Druk Phuensum Tshogpa and all the candidates of the two parties for their outstanding performance in the primary round of Bhutan’s third parliamentary election. I would also like to congratulate the President of Bhutan Kuen-Nyam Party and all their candidates for taking part in this important election.

On behalf of People’s Democratic Party and our candidates, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to all our supporters for believing in us and for always being by our side. Most importantly, I would like to thank every Bhutanese for taking part in the election process by responsibly exercising your franchise gifted to us by our benevolent Monarchs.

The people of Bhutan have spoken. And the People’s Democratic Party graciously accepts their decision. The will of the people must prevail in a democracy. I wish Druk Nyamrup Tshogpa and Druk Phuensum Tshogpa all the best in the general elections."

This was Bhutan's third election after the country moved to a constitutional monarchy in 2008.

The previous two elections were won by the People’s Democratic Party.

Image: Tshering Tobgay/Facebook