1958 Sikkimese general election
General elections were held in Sikkim in 1958.[1] The Sikkim State Congress emerged as the largest party, winning seven of the 20 seats.[1] Voter turnout was around 35%.[1]
Electoral system
The State Council had established in 1953 by the Chogyal.[2] It originally had 18 members, of which 12 were elected and six (including the President) appointed by the Chogyal.[2] Of the 12 elected members, six were for the Nepali community and six for the Lepcha and the Bhutia communities.[2] For the 1958 elections the number of seats was increased to 20. One seat for the Sangha was added, together with an additional appointed member.[2]
Candidates for election to the Council had to be at least 30 years old, whilst the voting age was set at 21.[1] Around 55,000 voters registered for the election.[1]
Results
| Party | Nepali seats | Lepcha/Bhutia seats | Sangha seats | Total seats |
+/– | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Votes | % | Seats | Votes | % | Seats | Votes | % | Seats | |||
| Sikkim State Congress | 6 | 1 | 0 | 7 | +1 | ||||||
| Sikkim National Party | 0 | 5 | 1 | 6 | 0 | ||||||
| Appointed members | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 7 | +1 |
| Invalid/blank votes | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | ||
| Total | 6 | 6 | 1 | 20 | +2 | ||||||
| Source: Hamlet Bareh | |||||||||||
References
- Hamlet Bareh (2001) Encyclopaedia of North-East India: Sikkim Mittal Publications, p17
- Bareh, p16