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CAP and SDF Boycott Party-Based Municipal Elections in Sikkim

The protest challenges partisan control of local bodies by calling for non-party, community-led voting.

Overview

  • Sikkim’s two main opposition parties said they will sit out the municipal or urban local body elections, opposing party-run contests.
  • CAP said it will not use its party symbol and will back qualified independent candidates across all 63 wards.
  • The State Election Commission announced polls across 63 wards, with new areas added in Pakyong and Soreng districts.
  • The SDF called the process unconstitutional and cited unequal seat reservations, pointing to shortfalls for groups listed as Other Backward Classes.
  • CAP accused the ruling SKM of reversing a 2019 pledge to keep local polls non-party and linked partisan control to daily problems like water shortages and rising local fees.