Article: The new rulers ; With the voluntary transfer of power from monarchy to the people an era comes to an end in the Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan, but the new government faces the challenge of ensuring political stability and development.

In Bhutan, the land of thunder dragon, history has been made. Not with the roar of a revolt or through humiliation as in neighbouring Nepal but by an enlightened monarchy voluntarily letting go the trappings of royalty and peacefully transferring power to the people.

In the capital city Thimphu, with the sounds of Buddhist chants echoing across the high Himalayas, people turned out in large numbers to vote, some in their Toyota Prados and Land Cruisers but many trekked hundreds of kilometres through narrow mountains, snailing past ancient dzongs to reach their villages to vote.

Some came from as far as the US and Europe to be a part of the historic moment and participate in the country's ...

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