Sikkim Assembly Elections 2024: In the 2024 assembly elections of Sikkim, the ruling Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) led by CM Prem Singh Tamang has retained power for the second consecutive term. Sikkim has 32 assembly seats distributed across various districts: Gangtok (9), Namchi (7), Pakyong (5), Soreng (4), Gyalshing (4), and Mangan (3). The vote counting commenced at 6 am and early trends predicted massive victory for the SKM.
The 2024 Sikkim assembly elections witnessed a high voter turnout, with about 80% of the state's 4.64 lakh eligible voters casting their ballots on April 19. The main contest was between the ruling Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) and the opposition Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF). Additionally, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Indian National Congress fielded candidates in selected constituencies.
The opposition Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF), which aimed to unseat CM Tamang and return to power, faced a significant defeat, winning only the Shyari constituency. The SDF's performance marks a dramatic decline from its historical dominance.
ALSO READ: Sikkim Election Result 2024: Complete List Of Winners Of SKM, SDF, BJP And Congress
The election featured 146 candidates, including prominent figures such as Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang and his wife Krishna Kumari Rai, former Chief Minister Pawan Kumar Chamling, ex-footballer Bhaichung Bhutia, state BJP president DR Thapa, Speaker Arun Upreti and senior minister Lunga Nima Lepcha.
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Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang clinched victory in both the Soreng-Chakung And Rhenok Constituencies, whereas SDF chief and 73-year-old ex-CM Pawan Kumar Chamling lost in both, Poklok and Namcheybung assembly constituencies.
Former Indian football captain Bhaichung Bhutia, contesting as an SDF candidate, was defeated by SKM’s Rikshal Dorjee Bhutia in the Barfung constituency. The Indian National Congress performed poorly, receiving fewer votes than the NOTA option.
Sikkim Assembly Election 2019 Results:
In the 2019 elections, SKM ended the SDF's 25-year rule by winning 17 seats, while SDF secured 15 seats. Post-2019 elections, Sikkim's political landscape experienced significant shifts, with several SDF MLAs defecting to other parties. Pawan Chamling, Sikkim’s longest-serving Chief Minister, was the sole elected opposition representative after the defection of 12 SDF MLAs, with 10 joining the BJP and two joining the SKM.