Bhutan loses opposition as MPs cry foul over poll

By Simon Denyer

NEW DELHI (Reuters) - After a century of absolute royal rule, when politics moved at a glacial pace, the Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan became the world's newest democracy this week.

On Friday it almost became a one-party state, as its fledgling opposition said the country's first ever general election had been unfair and they would resign from parliament.

The People's Democratic Party won only two seats in the 47-member assembly, but both candidates said they would not take up their seats, alleging that civil servants from the capital had unfairly influenced the results after campaigning had closed.

"We found that thousands of people descended on our villages, civil servants and people from the towns," PDP spokesman Tashi Tsering told Reuters. "They went and did a lot of informal campaigning, which had a big influence on the results.

"This is completely against the law."

The people of Bhutan turned out in huge numbers to vote in this week's polls, after their king urged them to embrace democracy. The capital Thimpu was deserted as many people returned to their villages.

But everyone was shocked by the result, a landslide in favour of the Druk Phuensum Tshogpa (DPT), which won 45 seats.

Political analysts said the vote was an endorsement of DPT leader and ex-prime minister Jigmi Thinley, a close adviser to the kings of Bhutan and a staunch monarchist.