78.19 per cent poll turnout registered in Sikkim

Brisk polling has been recorded in Sikkim with 78.19 per cent of 4.30 lakh electorate exercising their franchise in 32 Assembly constituencies and one Lok Sabha seat.

The voting percentage, however, was a shade lower than 2014 polls, when the turnout stood at 83.85 per cent.

According to the data released by the Sikkim election office in the early hours of Friday, 78.55 per cent of 2,20,305 male voters and 77.81 per cent of 2,12,001 female voters have cast their votes.

There was no report of violence from any part of the state during the polling process, which continued till late on Thursday, an election department official said.

North Sikkim, which has three assembly seats, recorded the maximum turnout at 81.74 per cent, while the west, south and east registered 81.64, 78.07 and 75.60 per cent polling respectively.

With the conclusion of polls, the fate of 150 candidates in fray for 32 Assembly seats and eleven nominees contesting the lone Lok Sabha seat have been sealed in the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs).

Chief Minister Pawan Kumar Chamling, who is seeking an eighth successive term in the state, has exercised his franchise at Namchi New Secondary School in South Sikkim's Namchi-Singhiyhang assembly seat.