Panchayat Election Held Peacefully, 85 % Polling

Gangtok:, 27 October

Panchayat election, simultaneously held in all the four districts of the state on October 26, was totally peaceful without any untoward incident, informed the state election commission secretary Mr. C.P.Dewan. According to reports received in the commission office till 4 pm on the day, polling was 85 %. Election was held for 889 gram panchayat wards,161 gram panchayat units and 93 territorial councils (TCs) of the state. In 585 wards and 45 TCs the Sikkim Democratic Front candidates having already won uncontested, 717 candidates contested for 314 panchyat wards and 124 candidates contested for 47 TCs. For TC seats 61 independent candidates, 43 SDF,13 Congress, 3 CPM have contested and for gram panchayat wards 283 SDF, 34 congress, 5 CPM, 23 Sikkim Gorkha Prajantantrik Party and 372 independent candidates were in the fray. In this election five Electronic Voting Machines had to be replaced, one each at Kolok of West, Gom, Mallipayung and Parbing of South, and Lower Tintek of east District. Mr. C.P.Dhakal, the Chief Election Officer informed that the results of the election would be announced on 29 October at four district headquarters - in east at Gymnasium Hall, in south at Indoor Auditorium, in west at Zilla Bhavan and in north also at Zill Bhavan – after counting of votes the same day. Zilla Adhyaksha and Upadhyaksha will be elected on November 5 and Gram Sabhadhipati, Upa Sabhadhipati and Secretary will be elected on November 6 by the elected Zilla and Gram Panchayat members respectively, Mr. Dhakal informed. In early hours of the polling day, voters turned out in less number. But in later hours polling was brisk. According to indications, 85% poll is expected. http://www.tistarangit.com/english/news_detl_e.php?pid=96