The State Election Commission, Sikkim, on Monday announced that the Urban Local Body (ULB) elections will be held on April 24, with polling scheduled from 8 am to 5 pm, and counting and declaration of results on April 25. The term of the current elected representatives is set to end on May 5.
State Election Commissioner KC Lepcha said the election process commenced with the issuance of the notification on March 23. Filing of nominations will continue till March 30, while scrutiny of nominations will be taken up on April 1. The last date for withdrawal of candidature has been fixed for April 4.
The Model Code of Conduct has come into force with immediate effect, and the Commission has emphasised that the elections must be conducted in a free, fair and inducement-free manner. Lepcha said that preparations have been completed in coordination with district administrations and election officials, and consultations have also been held with political parties.
As per the Commission, a total of 63 wards across urban bodies will go to polls, covering 93,697 voters, including 47,170 males and 46,527 females. This reflects a 14.5 per cent increase in the electorate and a 23 per cent rise in the number of wards following recent delimitation.
The Gangtok Municipal Corporation accounts for the largest share with 21 wards, 69 polling stations and 58,703 voters. Other urban local bodies include Namchi Municipal Council with 7 wards and 6,095 voters, Singtam Nagar Panchayat with 5 wards and 4,998 voters, and Rangpo Nagar Panchayat with 5 wards and 16,276 voters.
Among smaller areas, Pakyong Nagar Panchayat and Soreng Nagar Panchayat are newly constituted. Pakyong has 5 wards, 9 polling stations and 1,443 voters. Geyzing Nagar Panchayat has 2,662 voters, Soreng Nagar Panchayat has 2,043 voters, and Mangan Nagar Panchayat has 2,662 voters.
Delimitation based on population has led to the addition of new wards, including Lower Sichey and Lower Burtuk under GMC, while Daragaon ward has recorded the highest number of voters.
The elections will be conducted on a party basis following a 2025 notification issued by the Law Department. The Commission has also implemented community-based and gender-centric reservations.
Lepcha informed that older Electronic Voting Machines, which had exceeded their 15-year lifespan, have been replaced with new M2 model EVMs procured from Madhya Pradesh. Each polling station will be assigned a unique ID, and ballot boxes will be colour-coded district-wise for easy identification, with Gangtok designated in lemon yellow.
Special transport arrangements, including election taxis, are also being planned in coordination with the Transport Department to facilitate voters, particularly first-time and young electors.
The Commission expressed confidence in conducting smooth and efficient elections across the state.