The political party set to run Bhutan's first democratic government has promised to be "guided by the past" after it swept landmark polls in the Himalayan nation.

The Druk Phuensum Tshogpa (DPT), or Bhutan United Party, won a landslide victory in parliamentary polls on Monday in a pledge to boost development and happiness.

The DPT, led by Jigmi Thinley, won 44 of 47 seats for the lower house in a vote which was proposed by Bhutan's royals to transform the country into a constitutional monarchy.

The People's Democratic Party led by Sangay Ngedup, the present king's uncle, was trounced in the polls, winning just three of 47 seats.

Both parties are staunchly loyal to the royal family and both promised to stick with Gross National Happiness to measure growth.

 

Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, the Bhutanese king, is expected to retain a strong influence in running the country.

 

The US-educated Thinley, who is expected to become prime minister, is in his constituency in eastern Bhutan and could not be reached for comment.

 

Thinley has twice been premier under the previous royal governments and has been one of the architects of the nation’s efforts to measure its growth and prosperity in terms of happiness.

 

 

Thinley's focus on happiness may have swung the election in his party's favour, one observer said.

 

Kinley Dorji, editor-in-chief of the Kuensel newspaper, said: "DPT's vision and manifesto are completely based on the Gross National Happiness concept.

 

"They were seen to be a stronger advocate of the idea," he said.

 

The winning party has refrained from celebrating its victory as it waits until the end of a 10-day period during which opposition candidates can contest the results.

The country's election body is expected to certify the victory on April 5, after which the party will form a government.