Tue Oct 07 12:56:25 UTC 2025: **Summary:**
The Tibetan Election Commission has announced the schedule for the 2026 elections for the 18th Parliament-in-Exile and the Sikyong (head of cabinet). Voter registration opens October 8th and closes November 8th, 2025, with preliminary elections on February 1st, 2026, and final elections on April 26th. The election commission, based in Dharamsala, is emphasizing inclusivity and peaceful participation, with the slogan “I am Tibet, I vote for Tibet.” The Parliament will consist of 45 members representing various regions and religious traditions.
**News Article:**
**Tibetan Exiles Worldwide to Vote in 2026 Elections**
**Dharamsala, HP – October 7, 2025** – The Tibetan Election Commission today announced the schedule for the election of the 18th Parliament-in-Exile and the Sikyong, the head of the Tibetan government-in-exile. Tibetans living in exile globally will participate in the two-phased election, with preliminary voting scheduled for February 1, 2026, and the final round on April 26, 2026.
Chief Election Commissioner Lobsang Yeshi, speaking from Dharamsala, stated that voter registration will be open from October 8th to November 8th, 2025. Any Tibetan aged 18 or older by November 23rd, 2025, is eligible to register.
“I am Tibet, I vote for Tibet,” announced the commission as the official slogan, symbolizing unity, responsibility, and the collective strength of the Tibetan people.
The Parliament-in-Exile will consist of 45 members representing the diverse Tibetan diaspora, including representation from different regions of Tibet, major religious traditions, and Tibetan communities in North and South America, Europe and Africa, Asia, and Australasia.
The Election Commission plans to hold training sessions for regional election commissioners and will also dispatch election officials to Tibetan settlements worldwide to ensure a smooth and transparent process. The Commission expressed confidence in holding a free, fair, inclusive, and peaceful election.
First Piper 