Municipal Election on 27 April, SDF and Secretary EC terms boycotting election a “Pre-Planned” tactics of oppositions

A meeting was held at Chintan Bhawan in capital to discuss over the upcoming Municipal Election where several political parties gave their presence excluding Sikkim National People’s Party SNPP and Sikkim Jan Ekta Part SJEP these two parties have already boycotted the said election. For the first time in the history of Sikkim after the merger with the India a said election is going to take place. After sweeping 32 constituencies and 1 Lok Sabha seats , for ruling Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) Party the elction seems just a formality since almost all political parties have registered their boycott.

The information was highlighted by the Secretary Election Commission Pratap Tiwari. The four political parties Sikkim Pradesh Congress Committee SPCC, Bharatiya Janta Party BJP, Sikkim Communist Party (Marxist), Sikkim Himali Rajya Party SHRP have alleged boycotting the election, where as Sikkim Gorkha Prajatantrik Party SGPP and Sikkim Sangram Parishad SSP stands firm on their decision not to boycott the elction till now, the boycotting parties alleged that the ruling government is trying to indulge into election with all possible dictatorial pressure. Summarizing the previous story where SNPP and SJEP Party have already registered their doubts over the Municipal Election process which was purely unconditional and anti-national which do not heed for the people of Sikkim and their constitutional rights. SPCC has already termed the said election as illegal and anti-national , BJP terms as a encroachment which can lead to identity crisis of Sikkimese people, Himali Rajya Party and CPM terms too as illegal and unconstitutional from all sides.

The election commission department, Secretary Pratap Tiwari have alleged that it might be a “Pre-Planned” tactics of the oppositions to boycott the election, in that case referendum will not be hampered by simply boycotting the meeting, said Tiwari.The ruling Sikkim Democratic Front SDF also in same tone alleged that boycotting election is a tactics of opposition parties. He also made it clear that at no chance there will be any alteration nor the policy or rules of the commission will modify in any case, the election is set on 27 April which is being processed for finalization. The Election Commission will be issuing the notification over the fourth coming Municipal Election of 27 March, said Secretary. The nomination can be filed by the candidates for municipal election from 27 March for Gangtok, Namchi, Gayzing, Jorethang, Singtam and Rangpo for all the 47 wards, whereas from 27 March itself CODE OF CONDUCT will come into effect until the declaration of poll results. The final date for submitting the nomination is said to be 3rd April, withdrawing nomination would be 5th to 7th April , declaration of result will be on 29 April ,according to secretary EC.

BJP president Sikkim unit Padam Chettri and SHRP general Secretary alleged that the entire procedure of municipal election is setup package of ruling government to distract the constitutional rights of people of Sikkim and their identity. Alleging that the election is being conducted as per the vocal direction of ruling SDF government wich is not at all ‘Free & fair’ which indeed was carried on without listening to the view and opinion of other parties in the State.

In other hand Sikkim Gorkha Prajatantrik Party (SGPP) president KB Rai confront his willing to attend the meeting as a salutation towards the invitation by the Election Commission, Rai amicably admits not to contest in the said election. He also told to media that the party has not confirmed its stand against boycotting the election.

From Voice of Sikkim