Bhutanese officials check voting machines for parliamentary election

A polling official in traditional attire accompanied by Royal Bhutan Army soldiers carrying electronic voting machines arrives at a polling center on the eve of polling to the upper house National Council in Samdrup Jonkhar, Bhutan, Monday, April 22, 2013. The small Himalayan country of Bhutan ended more than a century of absolute monarchy by holding its first parliamentary elections in 2008.

A Royal Bhutan Army soldier stands guard outside as polling officials in traditional attire check electronic voting machines at a polling center on the eve of polling to the upper house National Council in Samdrup Jonkhar, Bhutan, Monday, April 22, 2013. <AP Photo/Anupam Nath>