Counting votes for the Assembly elections in Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim began early on Sunday at 6 am. According to early trends, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is ahead in Arunachal Pradesh, leading in 31 out of 50 seats.
They had already secured 10 seats unopposed before the vote counting started. Arunachal Pradesh has a total of 60 assembly constituencies. Meanwhile, in Sikkim, the Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) is showing a strong performance, leading in 30 out of 32 seats. The Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) is ahead in one seat.
According to Election Commission data, the BJP has clinched victory in 10 seats uncontested, while also maintaining a lead in more than 20 seats, such as Lumla, Kalaktang, Koloriang, Nacho, Likabali, Basar, Along (West), and Along (East), among others.
Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim both voted on April 19. The voter turnout was impressive, with Sikkim recording 79.88 percent and Arunachal Pradesh 82.95 percent.
As per India Today
Key Contests and Candidates in Sikkim
In Sikkim, the main contest was between the ruling SKM, led by Prem Singh Tamang, and the SDF, led by former Chief Minister Pawan Kumar Chamling. Other notable candidates included Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang’s wife Krishna Kumari Rai, former Indian footballer Bhaichung Bhutia, and BJP’s Narendra Kumar Subba.
The SKM and SDF each fielded 32 candidates, while the BJP fielded 31 candidates, and the Congress had candidates in 12 seats. The Citizen Action Party-Sikkim also contested in 30 seats. In the 2019 elections, the SKM won 17 seats, and the SDF secured 15 seats.
Key Contests and Candidates in Arunachal Pradesh
In Arunachal Pradesh, the main competition was between the BJP and the Congress. The BJP fielded candidates in all 60 seats, while the Congress contested in 19 seats. Other parties in the fray included the National People’s Party (NPP) and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP).
The BJP had already won 10 seats unopposed. Prominent BJP leaders such as Chief Minister Pema Khandu and Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein have already secured their seats. Other key candidates included Biyuram Wahge, Ninong Ering, Karikho Kri, Pani Taram, Kumar Wali, Kamlung Mosang, Wangki Lowang, and Jampa Thirnly Kunkhap.
In the 2019 Assembly elections in Arunachal Pradesh, the BJP won 41 seats, the Janata Dal (United) won seven, the NPP won five, Congress secured four, the People’s Party of Arunachal (PPA) won one, and two Independents were elected.
This year, the BJP won 10 seats unopposed, including constituencies like Bomdila, Chowkham, Hayuliang, Itanagar, Mukto, Roing, Sagalee, Tali, Taliha, and Ziro-Hapoli.
Exit Poll Predictions
According to exit polls, the ruling SKM in Sikkim is expected to retain power, with predictions suggesting they could win 24 to 30 seats. In Arunachal Pradesh, the BJP is projected to achieve a significant victory, potentially winning 44 to 51 seats out of 60.
The early trends suggest that the BJP will continue to govern Arunachal Pradesh, while the SKM is poised to retain power in Sikkim. The final results are expected to confirm these trends, solidifying the positions of the ruling parties in both states.
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