Campaigning for Sikkim panchayat polls ends

The campaigning for the Panchayat polls today ended with the Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) and other political parties making last ditch efforts to ensure victory of their respective candidates.
The polling will be held on November 3 for which elaborate arrangements have been made, the State Election Commissioner Nima Yethenpa said
Chief Minister Pawan Kumar Chamling held his final election meeting at Phodong in North District urging the people to vote for the ruling SDF candidates in panchayat polls as the party was committed to empower local people.
The leaders of the opposition Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) and BJP, seeking to gain foothold in Sikkim, also campaigned extensively in favour of their respective candidates.

There are 228 candidates in fray in 84 zilla panchyat seats, while 1062 candidates are trying their luck from 499 gram panchayat seats.
A total of 2.63 lakh voters will exercise their franchise in election for two-tier panchayat system which is contested on party lines in Sikkim.
The SDF has already won 537 gram panchayat and 27 zilla panchayat seats uncontested out of a total of 1040 gram panchayat and zilla panchayat seats of which there were no nomination on two gram panchayat seats, while the election of two zilla panchayat seats in North District are held by local people under age-old Dzumsa tradition.