73% voting in Sikkim

RAJEEV RAVIDAS, TT, 12 Apr 2019, Gangtok: The fate of 150 candidates for the 32-member Sikkim Assembly and 11 contestants for the lone Lok Sabha seat in the state were sealed in EVM boxes on Thursday. 

Preliminary estimates show Sikkim recorded 73 per cent polling. In 2014, the voting percentage was 83. 

R. Telang, the chief electoral officer of Sikkim, said the polling was entirely peaceful. 

Prominent among those who cast their votes in their respective constituencies were Sikkim chief minister and Sikkim Democratic Front leader Pawan Chamling, Sikkim Krantikari Morcha president P.S. Golay and Hamro Sikkim Party working president Bhaichung Bhutia 

Both Chamling and Bhutia contest from two seats each. Golay is not in the fray ostensibly because of his conviction in a corruption case. 

Like in the last Assembly elections in 2014, the fight this time is also expected to be be- tween the ruling SDF and the SKM. The SDF had won 22 seats and the SKM 10 last time. 

Both the parties have fielded candidates in all the 32 seats this time as well. 

Speaking to reporters after casting his vote in Namchi, Chamling expressed confidence that the SDF would be voted back to power for the record sixth term. "I admit there has been lopsided development. I will try and ensure allround development under the next government. I am confident that the SDF will win the election and we will successfully run the government for the sixth time," he said. 

The SKM, too, said it would form the next government because there was a definite desire for change among voters. "A huge number of young voters are with us. There is also a discernable desire for change among the people at large, which gives us confidence that we will be able to come through and form the government," said Bikash Basnet, a SKM spokesman.