Ruling parties SKM and BJP were leading in majority of seats as vote counting begain Sunday morning for recently concluded state assembly elections in Sikkim and Arunanchal Pradesh respectiively.
As per ECI, SKM was leading in 29 of the 32 assembly seats in Sikkim, while the SDF was ahead in one constituency. While in Arunanchal Pradesh, BJP was leading in 33 out of 50 assembly seats while the National People’s Party (NPEP) was ahead in six constituencies.
Counting of votes in both states began at 6 am, amid tight security arrangements, officials said.
Chief Minister and Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) candidate Prem Singh Tamang was leading by around 4,830 votes over his nearest SDF rival Som Nath Poudyal from the Rhenock assembly constituency, while in the Soreng Chakung Assembly constituency Tamang is leading by 2,052 votes over his nearest SDF rival A D Subba.
Former CM and Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) supremo Pawan Kumar Chamling was trailing behind SKM candidate Raju Basnet by 546 votes in Namcheybung seat. In the Poklok Kamrang Assembly constituency Chamling was trailing behind Bhoj Raj Rai of SKM by 1,057 votes.
Former India Football captain and SDF candidate Bhaichung Bhutia was trailing behind SKM rival Riksal Dorjee Bhutia by 2,872 votes in the Barfung Assembly seat.
Sikkim BJP unit president Dilli Ram Thapa was trailing behind his SKM rival Kala Rai by 1,543 votes in the Upper Burtuk Assembly constituency.
In Arunanchal, BJP had already won 10 seats unopposed in the 60-member assembly, elections for which were held simultaneously with the Lok Sabha polls in the first phase on April 19.
The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) is leading in four seats, while the People’s Party of Arunachal (PPA) is leading in three.
The Congress is ahead in one seat while in two constituencies independents are leading after the third round of counting.
Despite rain across the state, hundreds of supporters of various political parties were seen standing near the counting centres.
With inputs from Agencies
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