Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim Assembly Elections Highlights: An estimated 66.94% of voters have cast their votes till 5 PM in Arunachal Pradesh, where elections took place for two Lok Sabha seats and 50 assembly constituencies. The ruling BJP secured ten seats unopposed in the 60-member assembly. Initially, the voter turnout was moderate due to adverse weather conditions, but it picked up as the weather improved throughout the day. Some polling stations experienced delays as electronic voting machines (EVMs) encountered technical issues, promptly addressed by Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Pawan Kumar Sain. Union Earth Science Minister Kiren Rijiju, Chief Minister Pema Khandu, and Deputy CM Chowna Mein were among the early voters in the northeastern state.
As of 5 pm, Sikkim recorded a turnout of 66.94% in the elections for the 32 Assembly seats and the lone Lok Sabha constituency. The voting, which commenced at 7 am concluded at 5 PM, has seen 146 candidates competing for the Assembly seats. By 3 pm, the state has recorded a turnout of 52.73%. The polling was distributed across 573 stations, with 88 in urban and 485 in rural areas. Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang, leading the Sikkim Krantikari Morcha’s reelection campaign, cast his vote in Soreng district, where he is contesting from the Soreng-Chakung assembly constituency.
Arunachal, Sikkim Assembly Elections Live Updates: Along with the first phase of Lok Sabha elections, Assembly elections are also taking place simultaneously in Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim. Follow Financial Express Online for all the live updates.
Till 5 PM, Sikkim recorded a voter turnout of 67.95 per cent, while Arunachal Pradesh recorded a voter turnout of 65.85 per cent.
Over 36.75 per cent of the 4.64 lakh voters in Sikkim have exercised their franchise till 1 pm on Friday. Voting for the 32 Assembly constituencies and the lone Lok sabha seat in the Himalayan state began at 7 am and will end at 5 pm. Polling is underway in 573 polling stations, out of which 88 are in urban and 485 in rural areas.
The voter turnout till 1 PM for the Arunachal Pradesh Assembly elections stood at 41.26 pc.
Arunachal Pradesh Police said that no firing took place. "There was an incident of Stone Pelting between two political parties at Niausa village, Longding. Police team rushed on the spot and dispersed the crowd, cases being registered."
This was after a journalist reported that firing was going on between NPP cadres and BJP in Longding district.
The voter turnout till 11 AM for the general elections in Sikkim stood at 21.20 per cent.
Voter turnout till 11 AM for Arunachal Pradesh parliamentary elections stands at 19.77 per cent.
The voter turnout till 11 AM stands at 21.20 per cent for the ongoing Sikkim Assembly elections.
The voter turnout recorded till 11 AM stands at 20.70 for the ongoing Arunachal Pradesh Assembly elections.
Voters turn up at their polling booths despite heavy rains. Polling for the two Lok Sabha seats and 50 assembly constituencies is underway in the northeastern state.
Arunachal Pradesh CM Pema Khandu casts his vote at a government school in Tawang as Assembly election is underway in the state.
After casting his vote, Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang said, "...Our biggest issue is the development of the state. Our party has done the work that could not be done by the previous govt in the last 25 years...In the last 5 years, our party workers have won the hearts of the people. We are sure that our party will win 32 out of 32 Lok Sabha seats...For the first time in the history of Sikkim, such a peaceful election is taking place..."
Sikkim CM Prem Singh Tamang, who is spearheading the ruling Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM)’s bid to retain power, is contesting from two assembly seats, Rhenock in Gangtok district and Soreng-Chakung in his native Soreng district.
With polling underway to elect 50 MLAs in Arunachal Pradesh, the voter turnout was recorded at 8.85 per cent till 9 am, according to the Election Commission data.
The SKM supremo and Sikkim CM's wife Krishna Kumari is contesting from the Namchi-Singhithang assembly constituency where she is locked in a quadrangular contest in which the Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) has put up Bimal Rai. (PTI)
Sikkim CM Prem Singh Tamang, who is spearheading the ruling Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM)'s bid to retain power, is contesting from two assembly seats, Rhenock in Gangtok district and Soreng-Chakung in his native Soreng district.
The SKM chief is seeking a seventh consecutive term as MLA and is locked in a multi-cornered contest in both the assembly constituencies with former minister and SDF nominee Som Nath Poudyal being his main challenger in the Rhenock assembly constituency. Meanwhile, SDF candidate AD Subba is Tamang's main opponent in the Soreng-Chakung assembly constituency.
Elaborate security arrangements have been put in place in Arunachal Pradesh to conduct peaceful polling in the northeastern state with a "deployment of 70 companies of central armed police forces (CAPF), including India Reserve Battalion, and state police personnel," state Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Pawan Kumar Sain said, PTI reported.
As the voting began for the first phase of Lok Sabha elections and simultaneously for Assembly elections in Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim, Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged the voters to cast their franchise in large numbers.
He took to X and said, "The 2024 Lok Sabha elections commence today! As 102 seats across 21 States and UTs go to the polls, I urge all those voting in these seats to exercise their franchise in record numbers. I particularly call upon the young and first time voters to vote in large numbers. After all, every vote counts and every voice matters!"
The India Meteorological Centre (IMD) has forecast moderate to high rainfall in the northeastern state during the poll day.
“We have arranged temporary shelters with all basic facilities in the polling booths where people can wait if the weather is not conducive,” Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Pawan Kumar Sain said, PTI reported.
Sikkim Chief Minister and SKM supremo Prem Singh Tamang, former CM and SDF chief Pawan Kumar Chamling are among the 146 candidates in the fray for 32 assembly seats which have gone to the polls on Friday amid elaborate security arrangements in the Himalayan state.
The voting to elect the new assembly in the northeastern states of Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh began on Friday morning.
The first phase of the 2024 Lok Sabha polls is set to begin on Friday, encompassing 102 seats spread across 21 states and Union territories. Simultaneously, assembly elections will also take place in Arunachal Pradesh with 60 seats and Sikkim with 32 seats. With a vast electorate, comprising more than 16.63 crore voters, including 8.4 crore men, 8.23 crore women, and 11,371 individuals from the third gender category, this phase holds significant importance.