The Buddhist country, sandwiched between Asian giants China and India, is preparing for its first ever election next year by holding a second round of dummy polls Monday.

After April's first round produced a turnout of just 30 percent, officials are hoping for a better response from the 400,000 eligible voters this time.

But they face major hurdles in their effort to educate people on the finer points of parliamentary democracy.

"The geography of Bhutan and literacy levels are major challenges to us. There are many communities that live in remote and inaccessible areas," said Dasho Kunzang Wangdi, Bhutan's chief election commissioner.

"We need to make sure that not only do they have the opportunity to vote but that they understand the process."

Wangdi's concerns seemed well founded.