Sikkim bypoll voting 69%

RAJEEV RAVIDAS, TT, 22 Oct 2019, Gangtok: The capital city of Sikkim witnessed a comparatively less turnout compared to two other Assembly constituencies where byelections were held on Monday.

According to sources in the administration, around 52 per cent voters had exercised their franchise in Gangtok till 5pm. The polling percentage in Poklok-Kamrang was 84 per cent. The voter turnout was 72 per cent in Rumtek-Martam. The overall turnout was around 69 per cent.

Chief minister Prem Singh Tamang (Golay) is among a number of candidates whose fate will be decided in the three bypolls. Tamang is contesting from the Poklok-Kamrang constituency in a bid to become a member of the Assembly. He must become an MLA to remain in the post of chief minister. He was sworn in after this summer's Assembly polls without being a member of the House.

After the Assembly elections where Tamang's Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) had secured a majority, he was made chief minister even though he was not in the fray.

His contest however, was unpredictable till last month, but it became clear as the Election Commission last month removed a ban on his candidature brought about by his conviction in a corruption case.

The removal of the ban followed a pre-poll alliance between his SKM and the BJP, which is trying to make inroads into the Himalayan state.

Former Indian football skipper Bhaichung Bhutia, the founder-president of the Hamro Sikkim Party, is among those contesting from Gangtok in the bypolls.

The Sikkim by-polls were necessitated after former chief minister Pawan Chamling of the Sikkim Democratic Front and legislators DT Lepcha of the BJP and Kunga Nima Lepcha of SKM vacated the Poklok Kamrang, Martam Rumtek and Gangtok constituencies respectively after winning from two seats each.

A crucial by poll in Poklok Kamrang constituency which is critical constituency was also held and no any case of violence of reported on Monday as it was predicted earlier.

The constituency has more than 15,000 voters and there are 22 booths. Moses Rai (27) SDF candi- date who is contesting against Tamang also cast his vote at Kamrang school pooling booth under Poklok-Kamrang constituency said that he is confident of his win.

The oldest voter in these three constituencies is Sumitra Rai (107), who cast her vote in Kamrang Secondary School.

Ganga Prasad, the Governor, also casted his vote at the Gangtok Assembly seat at White Hall polling station..