New Delhi: Polling for the 32-member Assembly in Sikkim concluded peacefully with approximately 67.95 percent of the 4.64 lakh eligible voters casting their votes on Friday. In the lone Lok Sabha constituency of the state, the voter turnout stood marginally above 68 percent.
As compared to the previous Assembly elections in 2019 in the hill state, the voter participation rate of 67.95 percent marked a decline of 10 percent from the 78.63 percent, according to ECI data. Similarly, the voting percentage in the lone Lok Sabha seat at 68.06 percent stood against 81.41 percent turnout in 2019.
Despite polling having concluded at 5 pm, several voters were seen queued at various polling stations, and they were allowed to cast their ballots following Election Commission guidelines. As per ECI officials, the final voting percentage in the state may go up.
Disparities in voter turnouts between Lok Sabha and Assembly elections were majorly due to some voters refraining from participating in both the polls.
No untoward incidents were reported from any part of the state, according to police. The electoral process was overseen by 13 companies of central forces, apart from a contingent of Sikkim police personnel.
A total of 146 candidates, including Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang, former Chief Minister Pawan Kumar Chamling, former Indian football captain Bhaichung Bhutia, and Tamang's wife Krishna Kumari Rai, are vying for victory across 32 assembly constituencies.
In the single Lok Sabha seat, incumbent MP Indra Hang Subba and Sikkim Democratic Front's PD Rai are among the 14 candidates in contention.
Tamang and Chamling are each contesting from two assembly constituencies.
The result of the Assembly elections is slated to be announced on June 2, while the results of the Lok Sabha polls will be announced on June 4.