The Election Commission of India has declared a remarkable 80% voter turnout in the Assembly elections held in Sikkim on April 19, concurrent with an equally impressive 80.03% turnout for the sole Lok Sabha seat. With a voting populace of 4.64 lakh, Sikkim witnessed fervent participation on April 19, as citizens exercised their franchise across 32 Assembly segments and for the lone parliamentary position. The final turnout of 79.77% for the Assembly elections marks a notable increase from 2019’s figure of 78.63%. Notably, the Yoksom-Tashiding constituency led the turnout statistics with an exceptional 85.37%, while Gangtok (BL) trailed behind at 63.66%.
An impressive 20 constituencies recorded turnouts exceeding 80%, with an additional 10 constituencies registering between 70% to 79% turnout rates. Although the voter turnout for the Lok Sabha seat experienced a slight dip to 80.03% from 2019’s 81.41%, the electoral landscape remains fiercely competitive, featuring 146 candidates vying for victory. Prominent contenders include Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang, former CM Pawan Kumar Chamling, renowned footballer Bhaichung Bhutia, and Tamang’s wife Krishna Kumari Rai, contesting across various constituencies in the state.
The counting of votes is scheduled for June 2 for the Assembly elections and June 4 for the Lok Sabha polls, as anticipation mounts for the unveiling of electoral outcomes in the Himalayan state of Sikkim.
