Page:Constitution of Bhutan 2008 English.pdf/40

 Election to the National Assembly shall be by two political parties established through a primary round of election in which all registered political parties may participate. A primary round of election shall be held to select the two political parties for the general election on the expiry of the term of the National Assembly or in the event of dissolution under section 12 of this Article. The two political parties obtaining the first and the second highest number of votes in the primary election shall be declared as the two political parties for the purpose of section 5 of this Article to contest in the general election. The party which wins the majority of seats in the National Assembly in the general election shall be declared as the ruling party and the other as the opposition party. However, in the case of casual vacancy, if the opposition party gains majority of seats in the National Assembly after the bye-election, such party shall be declared as the ruling party. No election shall be held where the remainder of the term of the National Assembly is less than one hundred and eighty days. The members of the National Assembly belonging to one party shall not defect to the other party either individually or en bloc. Rh