Sikkim's Urban Local Body Elections Scheduled for April 24, Vote Counting on April 25
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Gangtok, March 23 (NationPress) The Sikkim State Election Commission has officially declared that the elections for Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) are set for April 24, with voting hours from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Vote counting and result announcements will occur on April 25, as the term for current elected officials concludes on May 5.
State Election Commissioner KC Lepcha noted that the election process commenced with the notification issued on March 23. Candidates can file their nominations until March 30, followed by scrutiny on April 1. The deadline for withdrawal of nominations is set for April 4.
The Model Code of Conduct has been activated immediately.
Lepcha emphasized that the elections will be conducted in a transparent, fair, and free from inducements manner. He mentioned that all necessary preparations have been made in collaboration with district administrations and election officials, and discussions with political parties have been held.
The Commission indicates that a total of 63 wards across various urban bodies will be contested, representing 93,697 voters, including 47,170 males and 46,527 females. There has been a 14.5% increase in the electorate, with the number of wards rising by 23% due to delimitation.
The Gangtok Municipal Corporation holds the largest share with 21 wards, 69 polling stations, and 58,703 voters.
Other urban bodies include the Namchi Municipal Council with 7 wards and 6,095 voters, Singtam Nagar Panchayat with 5 wards and 4,998 voters, and Rangpo Nagar Panchayat with 5 wards and 16,276 voters.
The newly formed Pakyong and Soreng Nagar Panchayats consist of 5 wards, with 9 polling stations and 1,443 voters. The Geyzing, Soreng, and Mangan Nagar Panchayats have 2,662, 2,043, and 2,662 voters, respectively.
The elections will incorporate reservations based on community and gender, as per officials.