In Bhutan, a Historic Trek to the Polls

Bhutanese wait to cast their ballots in parliamentary elections ordered by the country's fourth and fifth kings. (By Paula Bronstein -- Getty Images)

"We do things a little differently here. We will never fall out of love with His Majesty," said Sonam Peldam, 29, who works for the national airline, referring to the fourth king.

Almost all stores were padlocked for the day because of the election. Signs said "Gone to vote." The cellphone network got bogged down because so many Bhutanese called candidates to wish them good luck.

In central Bhutan, buses loaded with voters traveling to remote mountain villages were stalled because gas stations ran out of fuel. "Suffering for suffrage," a headline in a local newspaper read, showing families camped on roadsides in the cold.

In rural areas, colorful tents with the country's dragon emblem were set up beside buckwheat farms. In the chilly, cloud-shrouded hills, people in traditional dress lined up peacefully to vote.

The elections were highly managed. Candidates were required to have at least a bachelor's degree, in a country where fewer than 5 percent hold such a qualification.

Mock elections were held last year to help voters get a feel for the process. Bhutanese journalists were trained this year on how to cover political campaigns. Instead of holding formal rallies, candidates went door-to-door, seeking support over cups of traditional butter tea and fresh walnuts.

"There has been no precedent for anything like this in Bhutan," said Tshering, the DPT spokesman. "We are all taking baby steps. But it's also really a wonderful moment in our nation."

At DPT headquarters Monday night, Tshering said there would not be any celebrations, despite the overwhelming victory.

"There's a lot of work to do," he said. "We have to take this very seriously. There is no time to rest now. We have to live up to His Majesty."