Exiled Tibetans elect leader as Dalai Lama steps back

Tens of thousands of exiled Tibetans go to the polls Sunday to elect a new leader tasked with sustaining their struggle for greater autonomy in their Chinese-ruled homeland as the Dalai Lama retreats from the political frontline.

Tibetans across the world will vote in the elections for the leader of the government-in-exile, based in the picturesque Indian hill town of Dharamsala, where the Dalai Lama lives.

The position of prime minister in exile was a low-profile role before the 80-year-old Tibetan spiritual leader devolved power in an attempt to lessen his own totemic status and secure the movement's future after his death.

The Dalai Lama announced his decision in March 2011, days before the election of the incumbent prime minister -- or Sikyong -- Lobsang Sangay, who is standing again.

The Harvard-educated former academic is regarded as the front-runner, having already beaten off three of the other four candidates in a first round of voting last October.

Both he and his one remaining opponent, Penpa Tsering, favour the "middle way" approach of the Dalai Lama that advocates seeking greater autonomy for Tibet through peaceful means.

In all, 88,000 Tibetans in 13 countries from Australia to the United States are registered to cast ballots for a prime minister and the 44-member parliament-in-exile.

Many voters, like Sangay, have lived all their lives in exile and never visited Tibet.

Another candidate, Lukar Jam Atsok, spent time as a political prisoner in China and had threatened to make waves with his more aggressive policy of advocating for complete independence from China.

He was eliminated after coming third in the first round, a decision his supporters say was unfair given that three candidates were allowed through to the second round of voting in the 2011 polls.

On policy, there is relatively little to choose between Sangay and his remaining opponent, and opinions on the streets of Dharamsala were mixed in the run-up to Sunday's vote.

Many said they would stick with Sangay. But some who voted for him in 2011 said they had been disappointed by his performance in office.

"I will vote for Penpa Tsering, who has decades of experience serving in the Tibetan government in exile and in the Tibetan community. He will have more substance," said Lhadon, a 55-year-old woman who did not give her full name.

- Shadow of the Dalai Lama -

Tsering was born in India and has served in the Tibetan parliament-in-exile for 10 years, where he is currently the speaker.

Whoever prevails can expect to remain in the shadow of the 80-year-old Dalai Lama, a Nobel peace laureate who remains the global figurehead for Tibetans around the world.

Nonetheless, many exiles said they felt it was important to exercise their vote.

"The election is really important, it is a basic right of a citizen to vote and we take this opportunity as a blessing," said Sonam, a 22-year-old Tibetan student in Nepal who did not give her full name.

She expressed hopes the Nepal government would allow voting to go ahead after confiscating ballot boxes in 2011, apparently under pressure from neighbouring China.

"We are political refugees and since they have allowed us to live here, they should not stop us from voting. But I worry they may interfere," she said.

China has widely been seen as waiting for the Dalai Lama's death, believing that the movement for Tibetan rights would not survive without its charismatic and globally famous leader.

The Buddhist monk raised concern among his millions of followers last year when he scrapped a tour of the United States for health reasons.

Asked about the election, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Lu Kang said Beijing had never recognised the government-in-exile and hoped other countries "will not provide any stage for Tibetan separatist activities".