Assembly Elections 2024 Highlights: Over 69% voter turnout in Arunachal, peaceful polling in Sikkim with 67.95% recorded

CM Prem Singh Tamang, SDF chief Pawan Kumar Chamling among 146 candidates in fray

Sikkim Chief Minister and SKM supremo Prem Singh Tamang, former CM and SDF chief Pawan Kumar Chamling are among the 146 candidates in fray for 32 assembly seats which go to polls today amid elaborate security arrangements in the Himalayan state.

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Only 12 women candidates in fray in Sikkim Assembly polls

Though they constitute nearly 50 per cent of the voters but there are only 12 women candidates out of 146 nominees in the fray for the Sikkim Assembly and the lone Lok Sabha seat in the Himalayan state.

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Arunachal: 23 candidates have criminal cases

Twenty-three candidates in the fray for the April 19 Assembly elections in Arunachal Pradesh, have criminal cases registered against them, according to a report of a civil society organisation.

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Lekang — only constituency in Arunachal where non-tribals hold the key

Of the 20,831 voters in this assembly constituency, an overwhelming majority of around 18,000 are not tribals.

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Voting for Assembly Elections in Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim begins

The polling is being held simultaneously with the first phase of Lok Sabha Elections 2024. All 60 Assembly seats in Arunachal Pradesh and 32 Assembly seats in Sikkim are going to polls today.

In 60-member Arunachal Assembly, BJP has already won 10 constituencies unopposed

In the last assembly elections, the BJP bagged 41 seats. The JD(U) emerged victorious in seven, the NPP in five, and Congress in four. The PPA secured one seat and two Independent candidates won.

Counting of votes for assembly elections will be held on June 2.

Voting under way in 573 polling stations in Sikkim, 4.64 lakh eligible voters

Over 4.64 lakh voters are eligible to exercise their franchise to elect their representatives in the assembly and an MP for Lok Sabha from the Himalayan state.

Voting is underway in 573 polling stations, out of which 88 are in urban and 485 in rural areas, Sikkim Chief Electoral Officer D Anandan said.

Thirteen companies of CAPF have been deployed in Sikkim, of which five companies are from ITBP and eight from SSB, he added.

Temporary shelters for voters set up in Arunachal as IMD forecasts moderate to high rainfall

The India Meteorological Centre (IMD) has forecast moderate to high rainfall in the northeastern state during the poll day.

“We have arranged temporary shelters with all basic facilities in the polling booths where people can wait if the weather is not conducive,” Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Pawan Kumar Sain said.

The Election Commission has also arranged special facilities for the 5,596 voters who are persons with disability (PwD), including transportation to polling booths and installation of ramps, the CEO said.

“Polling officials for remote booths have already reached their destinations,” Sain said.

A 'Fight of Allies' in Arunachal

The BJP, which is contesting in all the 50 seats, says it is going to be a "friendly fight" against its allies instead of the Opposition Congress, which has put up candidates only in 19 constituencies. Most of the Congress candidates are debutants.

The National People's Party (NPP), an ally of the NDA has fielded candidates in 20 seats, some of whom are fighting against BJP candidates.

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BJP National President JP Nadda with Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju, party's state president Biyuram Wahge and others during a public meeting in Itanagar.

Arunachal CM Pema Khandu urges voters to 'overwhelmingly participate to enrich democracy'

Arunachal CM Pema Khandu.

In Pictures | Polling officials in remote areas of hilly Arunachal

Arunachal: Kiren Rijiju, Pema Khandu cast votes in native villages

Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu and Union Minister Kiren Rijiju cast their votes on Friday at their native villages as the polling for two Lok Sabha seats and 50 assembly constituencies is underway, officials said.

Rijiju cast his vote in his village Nafra in the newly created Bichom district, while Khandu exercised his franchise in the Mukto constituency in Tawang district, the officials said.

Union Minister Kiren Rijiju casts his vote.

Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein also exercised his franchise in his village in the Chowkham assembly segment.

Khandu and Mein are among the ten BJP candidates who have been elected unopposed to the 60-member assembly.

Happy to cast my vote at Government Secondary School, Bomba, today, the very institution where I received my education. A nostalgic moment indeed, reflecting on my journey.

Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu

Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu casts his vote.

Arunachal Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein casts his vote.

9% voters exercise franchise till 9 am in Arunachal

An estimated nine per cent of the total 8,92,694 voters cast their votes till 9 am on Friday in Arunachal Pradesh where polling for two Lok Sabha seats and 50 assembly constituencies is underway, officials said.

Despite early morning showers, long queues were seen outside polling stations in the northeastern state.

According to reports from various districts, the polling remained peaceful so far without any incidents of violence, Joint Chief Electoral Officer Liken Koyu said.

Over 7.66% polling recorded in Sikkim till 9 am

Over 7.66 per cent of the 4.64 lakh voters in 32 Assembly seats and the lone Lok Sabha seat in Sikkim have exercised their franchise till 9 am on Friday, an official said.

Voting for the 32 Assembly constituencies and the lone Lok sabha seat began at 7 am and will end at 5 pm.

Polling is underway in 573 polling stations, out of which 88 are in urban and 485 in rural areas, Sikkim Chief Electoral Officer D Anandan said.

Thirteen companies of CAPF have been deployed in Sikkim, of which five companies are from ITBP and eight from SSB, he added.

Arunachal Pradesh records 19.46% voter turnout till 11 am, Sikkim 21.20%

Election Commission data

In Pictures | Voters exercise franchise in Sikkim

Over 21.2% polling recorded in Sikkim till 11 am

People wait to cast their votes for Lok Sabha elections, at Gyalshing Bazer West Sikkim under Gyalshing Bermiok AC, Friday, April 19, 2024.

Over 21.2 per cent of the 4.64 lakh voters in 32 Assembly seats and in the lone Lok Sabha seat in Sikkim have exercised their franchise till 11 am on Friday, an official said.

Voting for the 32 Assembly constituencies and the lone Lok sabha seat began at 7 am and will end at 5 pm.

Polling is underway in 573 polling stations, out of which 88 are in urban and 485 in rural areas, Sikkim Chief Electoral Officer D Anandan said.

Thirteen companies of CAPF have been deployed in Sikkim, of which five companies are from ITBP and eight from SSB, he added..

Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang, who is spearheading the ruling Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM)'s bid for a second term in power, cast his votes in his native Soreng district, where he is contesting from the Soreng-Chakung assembly constituency.

Tamang is also contesting from the Rhenock assembly seat.

Former India Football captain and Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) vice president Bhaichung Bhutia who is contesting from Barfung (BL) assembly seat, cast his vote in his native Sanganath village in Namchi district.

Voting under way in Gangtok, Sikkim.

Voting under way in Gangtok, Sikkim.

Arunachal records 19% polling till 11 am

An estimated 19 per cent of the total 8,92,694 voters exercised their franchise till 11 am on Friday in Arunachal Pradesh where polling is underway for two Lok Sabha seats and 50 assembly constituencies, officials said.

The ruling BJP has already won 10 seats in the 60-member assembly unopposed.

Though the turnout was moderate in the morning hours due to inclement weather, it gathered momentum with weather conditions improving.

In a few polling stations in the state, polling was delayed as the electronic voting machines (EVMs) developed technical snags which were later replaced, Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Pawan Kumar Sain said.

According to reports from various districts, the polling remained peaceful so far without any incidents of violence, the CEO said

Union Earth Science Minister Kiren Rijiju, Chief Minister Pema Khandu and Deputy CM Chowna Mein were among the early voters in the northeastern state.

Rijiju cast his vote in his village Nafra in the newly created Bichom district, while Khandu exercised his franchise at the government secondary school Bomba from where he did his schooling, in the Mukto constituency in Tawang district, the officials said.

Mein also exercised his franchise at Chowkham.

Governor Lt Gen (Retd) K T Parnaik and his wife Anagha Parnaik, cast their votes at Polling Station 1 at P Sector government secondary school.

"I had cast my vote as per the Constitutional privilege I have and I appeal to all the voters of the state to exercise their franchise and make our democracy a success," the governor told reporters.

An estimated 8,92,694 voters, including 4,54,256 women, are eligible to exercise their franchise and decide the electoral fate of 133 candidates in the assembly polls and 14 Lok Sabha poll contestants.

Elderly voter walks to polling booth in Arunachal's Kurung Kumey District, hailed by ECI for 'unwavering resolve'

"I am inked!"

I am inked! I took part in the festival of democracy by casting my vote at Govt Secondary School, Bomba, the institution that illuminated my path to education.

Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu

Arunachal Pradesh records 37.53% voter turnout till 1 pm, Sikkim 36.88%

Election Commission data

Hear it in their words

Sikkim is experiencing its most peaceful election in history. Our party is confident of securing victory in all 32 Assembly seats.

Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang

Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang

PM Modi has ushered in a wind of change, and we are witnessing comprehensive and inclusive development in Arunachal Pradesh.

Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu

Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu

Expect around 85-90% of voter turnout in Sikkim, says Gangtok top cop

Voters of border district Mangan in North Sikkim line up outside polling booth.

Gangtok SP Karma Gyatsho has said that polling has been going on smoothly in the state. "In Sikkim, we have a history of a good number of people turning up to vote. So, the overall turnout is expected to be 85-90 per cent."

Polling for both Lok Sabha and Assembly polls is being held in the state today.

Sikkim CM Prem Singh Tamang cast his vote at Singling polling station

Arunachal Pradesh sees 56.10% voter turnout, Sikkim records 52.73% till 3pm.

The northeastern state of Arunachal Pradesh has recorded a solid 56.10 per cent of voter turnout till 3pm. Sikkim trailed a little behind with 52.73 per cent. (DHNS)

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Former Sikkim CM Pawan Chamling accuses ruling SKM of 'threatening people' amid voting in state

Former Sikkim CM and Sikkim Democratic Front leader Pawan Chamling has accused the ruling SKM of 'threatening the people. "The people are not able to vote independently because the ruling party is threatening the people. There have also been some violent incidents. This is what I heard but overall, people are casting their vote," he said.

Arunachal Pradesh has recorded 66.15% of voter turnout while Sikkim surpassed the former and saw 67.95% of turnout.

Over 69% voter turnout in Arunachal, peaceful polling in Sikkim with 67.95% recorded

An estimated 67.95 per cent of the 4.64 lakh voters exercised their franchise as polling for the 32-member assembly passed off peacefully in Sikkim on Friday, officials said. Arunachal Pradesh registered 69.40 per cent polling till 5pm on Friday for elections to 50 Assembly constituencies amid minor violence in militancy-affected Longding district.(DHNS, PTI)

A quick glance at voters who turned up for voting in Sikkim, Arunachal