General elections were held in Sikkim in mid-1953.[1] The Sikkim National Party and the Sikkim State Congress both won six seats.[1] Voter turnout was less than 30%.[1]
Electoral system
The State Council was established in 1953 by the Chogyal.[2] It 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]
Candidates for election to the Council had to be at least 30 years old, whilst the voting age was set at 21.[1] Around 50,000 voters registered for the election.[1]
Results
Constituency-wise
| # | Constituency | Reservation | Name | Party | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | North-Central | Bhutia-Lepcha | Sonam Tshering Lepcha | rowspan=2 style="background-color: Template:Party color"| | Sikkim National Party |
| 2 | Martam Topden | ||||
| 3 | Sikkimese Nepali | Khus Narain Pradhan | style="background-color: Template:Party color"| | Sikkim State Congress | |
| 4 | Gangtok | Bhutia-Lepcha | Chodup Lepcha | rowspan=2 style="background-color: Template:Party color"| | Sikkim National Party |
| 5 | Netuk Bhutia | ||||
| 6 | Sikkimese Nepali | Adhiklal Pradhan | style="background-color: Template:Party color"| | Sikkim State Congress | |
| 7 | Namchi | Bhutia-Lepcha | Kunzang Rapgay | style="background-color: Template:Party color"| | Sikkim National Party |
| 8 | Sikkimese Nepali | Kashi Raj Pradhan | rowspan=2 style="background-color: Template:Party color"| | Sikkim State Congress | |
| 9 | Jai Narayan Subba | ||||
| 10 | Pemayangtse | Bhutia-Lepcha | Sonam Wangchuk | style="background-color: Template:Party color"| | Sikkim National Party |
| 11 | Sikkimese Nepali | Dhan Bahadur Gurung | rowspan=2 style="background-color: Template:Party color"| | Sikkim State Congress | |
| 12 | Nakhul Pradhan | ||||
| Source: Sikkim Darbar Gazette[3][4] | |||||
Appointed members
In addition to the elected members, five members were appointed to the Sikkim State Council by the Chogyal; John S. Lal (President of the Council and Dewan of Sikkim), Rai Bahadur Densapa, Tekbir Khati, Palda Lama and Hon Lt Prem Bahadur Basnet.[3][4]
Executive Council
Following the elections, an Executive Council was appointed, which consisted of the President of the Council, John S. Lal and two of the elected members, Sonam Tsering and Kashiraj Pradhan.
| Name | Responsibilities |
|---|---|
| John S. Lal | President of the Executive Council |
| Kashiraj Pradhan | Public Works, Excise, Education, and Transport |
| Sonam Tsering | Bazars, Forests, Health, and Press & publicity |
| Source: Proclamations from the Chogyal and the Dewan[5] | |
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Hamlet Bareh (2001) Encyclopaedia of North-East India: Sikkim Mittal Publications, p17
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Bareh, p16
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Results of elections - 1953. Sikkim Darbar Gazette({Template:Date).
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Template:Cite thesis
- ↑ State Council and Executive Council Proclamation - Memo No. 525(4 August 1953). Retrieved 22 June 2021.