Sikkim's Ruling SKM Sweeps Polls, BJP retains Arunachal for 2nd straight term

Both Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh voted in incumbents as votes cast in the Himalayan states' Assembly elections were counted today.

The BJP retained power in Arunachal Pradesh for the second straight term, securing 46 of 60 seats. In Sikkim, the ruling Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) registered an impressive victory, winning 31 of 32 seats, ousting rival Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF), according to the Election Commission Data (ECI).

The counting in Arunachal Pradesh began with the BJP winning 10 seats unopposed. The National People's Party (NPEP) won five seats, the People's Party of Arunachal (PPA) won two, the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and independents won three seats each, and Congress won one seat, the ECI figures showed.

In Sikkim, incumbent Sikkim Krantikari Morcha is back in power. Incumbent Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang told the media, "I thank the people of Sikkim and our party workers. We worked for the people with all our hearts. That's why we have won."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed the BJP's win in Arunachal. "Thank you Arunachal Pradesh! The people of this wonderful state have given an unequivocal mandate to the politics of development.

Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim voted on April 19. The total voter turnout in Sikkim was 79.88 percent while Arunachal Pradesh saw 82.95 percent voting.