Lobsang 
Tibetans living in exile across India and several parts of the world took part in the second and final phase of elections for the 18th Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile on Sunday, turning the vote into more than a political exercise. For many Tibetans, it was a statement of identity, memory and democratic continuity. Voting was reported in Tibetan settlements across Himachal Pradesh, including Kullu, Kangra and Mandi, while in McLeodganj, Dharamsala, long queues formed from the morning near the seat of the Central Tibetan Administration.
This election will decide the composition of the 45-member Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile, one of the most important institutions of the Tibetan democratic system outside Tibet. A total of 93 candidates are contesting. The house represents Tibet’s three traditional provinces Domey, Dotoe and Utsang with ten seats each. It also includes representatives from the four schools of Tibetan Buddhism, the pre-Buddhist Bon tradition, and the wider Tibetan diaspora. Five seats are reserved for global Tibetan communities: two from North America, two from Europe, and one from Australasia.
According to the Election Commission of the Central Tibetan Administration, 91,042 Tibetans were registered to vote in the 2026 election. Of these, 56,749 voters were from India, Nepal and Bhutan, while 34,293 were from other countries. The results of the parliamentary election are expected to be declared on May 13, 2026.
The presidential contest, however, has already been settled. In the first phase held on February 1, 2026, incumbent Sikyong Penpa Tsering secured more than 60 percent of the vote, crossing the required threshold to avoid a second round. The CTA Election Commission officially declared him re-elected after he received 61.025 percent of the total votes cast.
The election carries special significance because the Tibetan community is preparing for a future in which the Dalai Lama may no longer be physically present as its central guiding figure. Since the Dalai Lama transferred political authority to elected Tibetan leadership in 2011, the Central Tibetan Administration has become even more central to preserving political unity and representing Tibetan aspirations in exile.
China rejects the Central Tibetan Administration and describes it as a separatist political body. But for Tibetans in exile, the vote is seen as proof that their community has preserved a functioning democratic culture despite displacement, statelessness and pressure. Tibetan activist and writer Tenzin Tsundue described the exercise as rare for an exile community and said Tibetan democracy has survived because of the support of host countries, especially India.
At its heart, this election is not only about seats and candidates. It is about a scattered people choosing representatives, protecting institutions, and reminding the world that Tibet’s political voice has not disappeared. For Tibetans in exile, the ballot box remains a quiet but powerful answer to occupation, exile and forced silence.
About the Author
Rinchen Tashi 
Jun Hao 
