Lok Sabha election 2019: All you need to know about Sikkim

The BJP has forged an alliance with opposition SKM to contest the coming elections in the state, the only one in the northeast where it has no presence at all.

Sikkim is one of the four states where the Lok Sabha and the assembly elections will be held simultaneously in 2019.

The BJP has forged an alliance with opposition SKM to contest the coming elections in the state, the only one in the northeast where it has no presence at all. (Arijit Sen/HT Photo)

Chief minister Pawan Chamling of the Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) is seeking power for a record sixth term in the tiny Himalayan state. While the main contest is between the SDF and Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) led by former state minister PS Golay, former India football captain Bhaichung Bhutia’s Hamro Sikkim Party (HSP) is also in the fray.

The BJP has forged an alliance with opposition SKM to contest the coming elections in the state, the only one in the northeast where it has no presence at all.

The voting for both the elections will take place on April 11 and counting on May 23.

Here is all that you need to know about Sikkim ahead of Lok Sabha election 2019:

* Date of polling: April 11

* Counting of votes: May 23

* Ruling party/coalition in the state: The SDF

* Number of Lok Sabha seats in Sikkim: 1

* Party wise break-up of the Lok Sabha seats: SDF-1

* Number of voters in the state: 3,85,287

* Voter turnout in 2014: 83.37%

* Number of assembly seats: 32

* Party wise break-up of assembly seats: SDF-29, SKM-2, Independent-1

* Key leaders across parties: Pawan Chamling (SDF), PS Golay (SKM)

Key issues:

* Reservation of seats in the state assembly for the Limbu and Tamang communities

* Corruption in government and projects including those in hydel power