Tibetans in exile begin voting for new leader

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Tibetans across the world began voting Sunday for a new leader to take up resistance against Chinese rule over their Himalayan homeland, as the Tibetan parliament-in-exile debated how to handle the Dalai Lama's resignation from politics.

Despite pleas from the Tibetan community that he reconsider, the Dalai Lama has been adamant that the elected prime minister should take over as head of government.

The shift in power marks a major change for the Tibetan community, which for decades has looked to the Dalai Lama for both spiritual and political guidance against the heavy-handed rule of China's Communist authorities in Tibet.

The parliament, based in the northern Indian city Dharmsala, was discussing constitutional changes to enact the change and free the 76-year-old Nobel Peace laureate to focus on spiritual matters.

"He has conveyed his decision to give up his political responsibilities firmly," parliament Speaker Penpa Tsering told The Associated Press on Saturday, predicting the assembly would honor his wish despite passing a resolution a day earlier asking him to stay.

The Dalai Lama — who is vilified by China as a political schemer — announced his decision to resign on the March 10 anniversary of a failed 1959 uprising against Chinese rule in his Himalayan homeland that sent him into exile.

He has noted that the 21st century idea that leaders should be elected and representative was correct.

On Sunday some 85,000 registered Tibetans in exile — 11,000 of them in Dharmsala — were choosing the new prime minister among three candidates, as well as some new parliament members, in an election previously scheduled, even if its importance was only boosted this month when the Dalai Lama resigned. Election results will likely be announced April 27.

The 76-year-old Dalai Lama, who is believed to be in fairly good health, would maintain his position as spiritual leader until his death, when a new Dalai Lama would be found. He has indicated his successor would come from the exile community, and could even be a girl.

The question of succession has become all important within the Tibetan community, for whom the Dalai Lama is a symbol of cultural survival and political resistance.

Beijing insists the reincarnation must be found in China's Tibetan areas, and has made clear that it intends to have the final say — giving Communist authorities immense power over who is chosen.

Many observers believe there eventually will be rival Dalai Lamas, one appointed by Beijing and one by senior monks loyal to the current Dalai Lama.