The state of Sikkim will witness simultaneous Lok Sabha polls and Assembly Elections in the year 2019. The state will vote for both Lok Sabha and Assembly seats on April 11, 2019. In the previous assembly elections in 2014, the Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) won 22 seats out of the 32 seats in the state. The Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) was on the second spot with 10 seats. The Congress and the BJP could not win a single seat and failed to open their account. Gnathang Machong, Namcheybung, Shyari, Martam Rumtek, Upper Tadong, Arithang are six out of the total 32 seats in Sikkim that will vote on April 11. Know everything you need to know about these constituencies below.
The process of filing nomination for Gnathang Machong, Namcheybung, Shyari, Martam Rumtek, Upper Tadong, Arithang Assembly polls began from March 18. The last day for nominations was March 25. Scrutiny was done on March 26 and the last date for the withdrawal of the nominations was March 28. As mentioned earlier, the polling will be conducted on April 11, and the result of the Sikkim Vidhan Sabha elections will be declared on May 23. Sikkim Assembly Elections 2019 Dates: Complete Schedule of Voting And Results For State Elections.
This time, a new party is also in the fray. The Hamro Sikkim Party (HSP) led by ex-footballer Bhaichung Bhutia has also named candidates for the 2019 Assembly Elections.
Gnathang Machong, Namcheybung, Shyari, Martam Rumtek, Upper Tadong, Arithang Assembly Elections 2019: Parties and Candidates
Constituency | SDF | SKM | Congress | BJP | HSP |
Gnathang Machong | Dorjee Tshering | Tshering Bhutia | Dorjee Ongden Bhutia | - | Sangay Chopel Bhutia |
Namcheybung | EM Prasad Sharma | Denis Rai | Mingma Dorjee Lama | Devi Basnett | Anush Rai |
Shyari | Karma Wangdi Bhutia | Kunga Nima Lepcha | Chewang Dorjee Bhutia | - | - |
Martam Rumtek | Dorjee Tshering Lepcha | Sonam Tshering Venchungpa | Sonam Tshering Bhutia | Jigdel Chewang Bhutia | Nima Lepcha |
Upper Tadong | Gay Tshering Dungel | Anand Lama | Anita Gurung | - | Bina Bsnett |
Arithang | Shyam Pradhan | Arun Kumar Upreti | Sumitra Rai | Dal Bahadur Chettri |
Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Kumar Chamling of SDF has been in power since 1994 in the state and is the longest serving chief minister of an Indian state. He is seeking a record sixth term this time. This is the fourth time in the history of Sikkim that the Sikkim Assembly elections are being held simultaneously with the Lok Sabha polls. The Himalayan state merged with India in 1975, and will be voting to elect its 10th Assembly. The term of the 32 member state legislative assembly ends on May 27, 2019.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Apr 09, 2019 09:55 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).