RENUKA RAI | Thimphu
A total of 2,026 candidates has qualified for competency certification after sitting for the Functional Literacy and Possession of Skills Test (FLT) conducted ahead of the second phase of the Fourth Local Government Elections 2027.
The Election Commission of Bhutan (ECB) announced the results on September 16, following the Functional Competency Assessment (FCA) conducted on September 1 and Functional Competency Engagement (FCE) held from September 2 to 4.
The FLT was conducted to assess the functional competencies required for candidates seeking to contest the upcoming Local Government Elections.
According to the ECB, 3,698 candidates registered for the assessment through the online registration system to sit for the test at 48 centres across the country. The registered candidates represented all 205 Gewogs,with additional registrations from Samdrup Jongkhar Thromde.
Of the registered candidates, 2,734 appeared for the test. Nineteen candidates appeared only for the FCA, while 2,715 completed both the FCA and FCE components. Of those who completed both components, 1,706 were assessed for Competency Level 1 and 1,009 for Competency Level 2.
The largest group of candidates was between 25 and 35 years, with 1,164 appearing for the assessment. This was followed by candidates aged 36 to 45, with 986 test takers.
Candidates from a wide range of educational backgrounds also took part in the assessment. Those with Class XII qualifications formed the largest group, with 820 candidates appearing for the test, followed by 670 candidates with Class X qualifications.
The assessment also included 336 candidates with Bachelor’s degrees and 20 candidates with Master’s degrees under Level 1, along with 20 Bachelor’s degree holders under Level 2.
The overall qualification rate was 70.51 percent for Competency Level 1 and 81.57 percent for Competency Level 2. The mean score was 60.99 for Level 1 and 62.10 for Level 2.
For Competency Level 1, 1,203 candidates achieved an aggregate score of at least 50 percent, with a minimum of 40 percent in both the FCA and FCE components. These candidates have met the requirements for Level 1 certification and are eligible to file nominations for the positions of Gup, Mangmi and Thromde Ngotshab.
Of the 1,203 candidates who qualified for Level 1, 1,078 were men and 125 were women. The qualification rate among male candidates was 70.87 percent, compared with 67.56 percent among female candidates.
The successful Level 1 candidates came from different educational backgrounds. They included 17 Master’s degree holders, 285 Bachelor’s degree holders, 390 Class XII graduates and 249 Class X graduates.
The group also included candidates with diploma or certificate-level qualifications, Class VIII and primary-level education, monastic education and non-formal education.
The ECB said 57 candidates who appeared for the Level 1 assessment did not meet the required aggregate threshold of 50 percent but secured at least 40 percent in each of the FCA and FCE components. Under the prescribed criteria, these candidates were eligible to receive Level 2 certification.
For Competency Level 2, 823 candidates achieved the required scores. This included 582 men and 241 women.
Level 2 certification makes candidates eligible to file nominations for the positions of Gewog Tshogpa and/or Thromde Tshogpa.
The Level 2 qualifiers also represented diverse educational backgrounds, including 20 Bachelor’s degree holders, 315 Class XII graduates, 241 Class X graduates, eight diploma or certificate holders, 96 Class VIII graduates and 64 candidates with primary-level education.
There were also 65 candidates with monastic education, eight with non-formal education and six under other qualifications among those meeting the requirements for Level 2 certification.
The assessment also saw participation from incumbent local government representatives. Of the 352 incumbent candidates who sat for the Level 1 FLT, 162 were Gups, 183 were Mangmis and seven were Thromde Ngotshabs.
Of these incumbents, 286 qualified for Level 1 certification.
Meanwhile, candidates who already possess FLT certificates previously issued by the ECB and intend to contest only for Tshogpa positions were not required to sit for the test.
The Commission will issue Competency Level 2 certificates to 1,749 individuals who already hold previously issued FLT certificates and have expressed their intention to contest Tshogpa elections in the second phase of the Local Government Elections.
The ECB said others holding previously issued FLT certificates who intend to contest Tshogpa elections may apply through their respective Dzongkhag election offices.
The FLT was conducted through 48 test centres nationwide. To support the assessment process, 116 assessment panels were deployed. Each panel consisted of three panelists, including a serving chairperson, bringing the total number of panelists to 348.
The panelists were responsible for conducting and assessing the FCE and also served as invigilators for the FCA.
The ECB said panelists and invigilators were deployed through cross-Dzongkhag assignments to maintain an objective and consistent assessment process across the country.
For the FCE, the sequence of candidates was also randomised through a draw of lots conducted by the respective Dzongkhags. According to the Commission, the arrangement was intended to ensure transparency, fairness and impartiality in the assessment.
The questions for the FCA and FCE were developed based on the task-based roles assigned to the two competency levels. The question bank, model answers and evaluation scheme, including assessment rubrics, were developed by a committee comprising members from relevant agencies and subsequently reviewed by the FLT committee and the Commission.
With the completion of the latest FLT, the ECB has established the current pool of competency certificate holders ahead of the second phase of the 2027 Local Government Elections.
The Commission’s assessment of the current scenario shows candidates distributed across Gewogs, Throms and Chiwogs, although the number of candidates varies considerably between local areas. The ECB reported that 138 Gewogs have five or more candidates, while 35 Gewogs have four candidates and 22 have three candidates. Six Gewogs have two candidates and four have one candidate.
At the Chiwog level, 109 have five or more candidates, 114 have four candidates, 202 have three candidates, 317 have two candidates and 239 have one candidate. Seventy Chiwogs have no candidate, according to the ECB.
The Commission estimates that the conduct of the FLT cost Nu 7.811 million.
Candidates can check their individual results through the ECB’s FLT results portal. Those wishing to have their scores re-checked can submit an appeal form to the ECB Headquarters within the specified application period.
For test centres in the 19 Dzongkhags, applications for clerical re-checks are scheduled for September 17, 18 and 21 until 5pm. For the two test centres in Thimphu Dzongkhag, applications can be submitted on September 18, 24 and 25 until 5pm.
The ECB has also invited feedback from stakeholders involved in the preparation and conduct of the FLT, saying comments and suggestions will be considered for future assessments.
With the FLT now completed, the Commission has urged the public to prepare and participate actively in the upcoming Local Government Elections, which it said would contribute to effective and responsive local governance.
