Sangha Assembly constituency

Sangha Assembly constituency is one of the 32 assembly constituencies of Sikkim, a state in the Northeast region of India. It is a part of the Sikkim Lok Sabha constituency.[4] As of 2019, Sonam Lama is the holder of this seat. His current term is expected to end by 2024.[needs update]

Sangha
Constituency No. 32 for the Sikkim Legislative Assembly
Constituency details
CountryIndia
RegionNortheast India
StateSikkim
LS constituencySikkim
Established1958[1][2]
Total electors3,293[3] [needs update]
ReservationSangha
Member of Legislative Assembly
11th Sikkim Legislative Assembly
Incumbent
PartySikkim Krantikari Morcha
Elected year2024
Sikkim (highlighted in red), within India

This seat is reserved for the Buddhist monastic community (Sangha) of Sikkim.[5] Buddhist monks and nuns, registered with the 111 recognized monasteries in the state,[6] are the only ones who can contest and cast their votes for this Assembly seat.[5]

Members of the Sikkim State Council

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The Sangha constituency was created in 1958 for the Sikkim State Council,[1] after requests from the monastery associations to the Chogyal.[2]

Members of the Sikkim State Council
Election Name Party
1958 Lharipa Rinzing Lama[7][8] Sikkim National Party[1]
1967 Pema Lama[9] Independent
1970 Rinzing Chewang Lama[10]
1973 Peyching Lama[11] Sikkim National Party[1]
1974 Karma Gompu Lama[12][13] Sikkim National Congress[14]

Members of the Legislative Assembly

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After the 1975 Sikkimese monarchy referendum, Sikkim became a state of India and the members of the State Council at the time, were deemed to be the Legislative Assembly of the new state of Sikkim.

Members of the Sikkim Legislative Assembly
Election Name Party
1974 Karma Gompu Lama[12][13] Sikkim National Congress[14]
1979[15] Lhachen Ganchen Rimpuchhi Independent
1985[16] Namkha Gyaltsen[13] Sikkim Sangram Parishad
1989[17]
1994[18] Indian National Congress
1999 Palden Lama[19] Independent
2004 Tshering Lama[20] Indian National Congress
2009 Phetook Tsh. Bhutia[21] Sikkim Democratic Front
2014[22] Sonam Lama Sikkim Krantikari Morcha
2019[23]
2024

Supreme Court case

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In 1993, a case was brought in the Supreme Court of India, challenging the reservation for the Sangha constituency and for the Bhutia-Lepcha constituencies in Sikkim, by Ram Chandra Poudyal[24] of the Rising Sun Party. The Supreme Court dismissed the petition, judging that the Sangha had played a major part in previous Councils' decision-making and the reservation is not based purely on religious distinctions and is, therefore, not unconstitutional.[25][26]

Election results

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Assembly Election 2024

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2024 Sikkim Legislative Assembly election : Sangha
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
SKM Sonam Lama 1,919 60.01%  2.62
BJP Tseten Tashi Bhutia 1,054 32.96% New
SDF Tshering Lama 114 3.56%  32.55
Citizen Action Party-Sikkim Norcho Lepcha 97 3.03% New
Margin of victory 865 27.05%  0.53
Turnout 3,198 78.50%  6.34
Registered electors 4,074  23.72
SKM hold Swing  2.62

Assembly election 2019

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2019 Sikkim Legislative Assembly election: Sangha[27]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
SKM Sonam Lama 1,488 62.63%  12.76
SDF Tshering Lama 858 36.11%  8.07
INC Karma Tashi Bhutia 17 0.72%  4.20
NOTA None of the Above 13 0.55%  0.50
Margin of victory 630 26.52%  20.83
Turnout 2,376 72.15%  3.54
Registered electors 3,293  13.40
SKM hold Swing  12.76

Assembly election 2014

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2014 Sikkim Legislative Assembly election: Sangha
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
SKM Sonam Lama 1,096 49.86% New
SDF Palden Lachungpa 971 44.18%  5.32
INC Tshering Lama 108 4.91%  41.80
NOTA None of the Above 23 1.05% New
Margin of victory 125 5.69%  2.91
Turnout 2,198 75.69%  10.94
Registered electors 2,904  5.04
SKM gain from SDF Swing  0.37

Assembly election 2009

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2009 Sikkim Legislative Assembly election: Sangha[28]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
SDF Phetook Tshering Bhutia 980 49.49%  27.99
INC Tshering Lama 925 46.72%  14.39
BJP Samdup Dorjee Lama 75 3.79%  1.30
Margin of victory 55 2.78%  1.44
Turnout 1,980 64.75%  2.24
Registered electors 3,058
SDF gain from INC Swing

Assembly election 2004

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2004 Sikkim Legislative Assembly election: Sangha[29]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
INC Tshering Lama 675 32.33%  13.57
Independent Palden Lama 587 28.11% New
SDF Namkha Gyaltse Bhutia 449 21.50% New
Independent Thinley Gyatso Lepcha 310 14.85% New
BJP Samdup Dorjee Lama 52 2.49% New
Independent Sonam Dorjee 15 0.72% New
Margin of victory 88 4.21%  43.38
Turnout 2,088 66.99%  7.02
Registered electors 3,117
INC gain from Independent Swing  34.02

Assembly election 1999

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1999 Sikkim Legislative Assembly election: Sangha[30]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Independent Palden Lama 1,309 66.35% New
INC Namkha Gyaltsen Lama 370 18.75%  28.33
SSP Dorjee Dadul Lama 294 14.90% New
Margin of victory 939 47.59%  39.98
Turnout 1,973 61.43%  7.18
Registered electors 3,290  6.61
Independent gain from INC Swing

Assembly election 1994

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1994 Sikkim Legislative Assembly election: Sangha[31]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
INC Namkha Gyaltsen Lama 767 47.08%  33.51
SDF Palden Lama 643 39.47% New
Independent Sherab Dorji 150 9.21% New
Independent Karma Tenpa 40 2.46% New
Independent Tshering Lama 16 0.98% New
Independent Danen Lama 13 0.80% New
Margin of victory 124 7.61%  18.46
Turnout 1,629 54.02%  6.98
Registered electors 3,086  4.04
INC gain from SSP Swing  7.63

Assembly election 1989

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1989 Sikkim Legislative Assembly election: Sangha[32]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
SSP Nanjha Gyaltsen 806 54.72%  2.40
Independent Bazing 422 28.65% New
INC Rikzing Lama 200 13.58%  34.10
RIS Pegyal 38 2.58% New
Margin of victory 384 26.07%  21.42
Turnout 1,473 47.89%  13.92
Registered electors 3,216  40.07
SSP hold Swing  2.40

Assembly election 1985

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1985 Sikkim Legislative Assembly election: Sangha[33]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
SSP Namkha Gyaltsen 383 52.32% New
INC Lachen Gomchen Rinpochi 349 47.68% New
Margin of victory 34 4.64%  83.79
Turnout 732 31.88%  4.92
Registered electors 2,296  8.61
SSP gain from Independent Swing

Assembly election 1979

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1979 Sikkim Legislative Assembly election: Sangha[34]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Independent Lhachen Ganchen Rimpuchhi 733 94.22% New
SPC Pema Lama 45 5.78% New
Margin of victory 688 88.43%
Turnout 778 38.13%
Registered electors 2,114
Independent win (new seat)

Sikkim State Council

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1974

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1974 Sikkimese general election: Sangha[12]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
SNC Karma Gonpo Lama NA
Independent Pema Chophel Lama[35] NA
Majority NA
Turnout NA
SNC gain from SNP Swing NA

1973

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In the 1973 election, Peyching Lama was elected unopposed.[11]

1970

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1970 Sikkimese general election: Sangha[36]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Independent Rinzing Chewang Lama 367 82.29
SJP Karma Lama 46 10.31
SNC Kincho Tempa Lama 33 7.40
Majority 321 71.97
Turnout 446
Independent hold Swing

1967

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1967 Sikkimese general election: Sangha[37][9]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Independent Pema Lama
Rabzang Lama
Majority
Turnout
Independent gain from SNP Swing

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d Hamlet Bareh, ed. (2001). Encyclopaedia of North-East India: Sikkim. Vol. 7. Mittal Publications. p. 16. ISBN 9788170997948.
  2. ^ a b Tashi Namgyal (16 March 1958). "Proclamation of His Highness Sir Tashi Namgyal, KCSI, KCIE, Maharaja of Sikkim, Dated the 16th March, 1958" (PDF). p. 102. Retrieved 16 June 2021.
  3. ^ "Vidhan Sabha Elections Sikkim 2019 - Voters Turnout Statistical Data" (PDF). ceosikkim.nic.in. Retrieved 1 January 2021.
  4. ^ "Delimitation of Parliamentary and Assembly Constituencies Order, 2008" (PDF). 26 November 2008. Retrieved 24 June 2021.
  5. ^ a b "32-Sangha constituency: Sikkim's intangible seat, where only monks contest and vote". The Hindu. 4 April 2019. Retrieved 3 January 2021.
  6. ^ "32-Sangha Assembly constituency - One of its kind in the country". ceosikkim.nic.in. Archived from the original on 18 August 2019. Retrieved 22 January 2021.
  7. ^ "Results of elections - 1958". Sikkim Darbar Gazette. 8 (7). December 1958.
  8. ^ Pem Choden Tenzing (July 2019). Monarchy to Democracy Understanding Political Development in Sikkim, 1970-1994 (Thesis). p. 149. Retrieved 17 June 2021.
  9. ^ a b "Sikkim Darbar Gazette - Declaration of the Results of Election, 1967". 8 April 1967. pp. 67–68. Retrieved 16 June 2021.
  10. ^ "Sikkim Darbar Gazette - Declaration of the Results of Election, 1970". 14 May 1970. pp. 59–60. Retrieved 16 June 2021.
  11. ^ a b Sunanda K Datta-Ray (1984). Smash And Grab - Annexation Of Sikkim. p. 166. Retrieved 15 June 2021. ...they were supported by Peyching Lama, who had been elected un-contested from the monasteries...
  12. ^ a b c P. K. Ghosh (30 April 1974). "General Election to Sikkim Assembly - Publication of Results of Election". pp. 70–71. Retrieved 1 July 2021.
  13. ^ a b c S. Balakrishnan. "Viewpoint: 'Sangha' Constituency - Sikkim's Unique Seat". thephoenixpostindia.com. Retrieved 19 January 2021.
  14. ^ a b AC Sinha. "Chapter 8: Sikkim" (PDF). ...election to the State Assembly were held in April, 1974. With exception of one Lepcha-Bhotia seat to a nominee of Sikkim National Party, the remaining 31 seats were captured by the newly formed Sikkim Congress.
  15. ^ "Statistical Report on General Election, 1979 to the Legislative Assembly of Sikkim". eci.gov.in. Retrieved 1 July 2021.
  16. ^ "Statistical Report on General Election, 1985 to the Legislative Assembly of Sikkim". eci.gov.in. Retrieved 30 June 2021.
  17. ^ "Statistical Report on General Election, 1989 to the Legislative Assembly of Sikkim". eci.gov.in. Retrieved 28 June 2021.
  18. ^ "Statistical Report on General Election, 1994 to the Legislative Assembly of Sikkim". eci.gov.in. Retrieved 27 June 2021.
  19. ^ "Statistical Report on General Election, 1999 to the Legislative Assembly of Sikkim". eci.gov.in. Retrieved 22 June 2021.
  20. ^ "Statistical Report on General Election, 2004 to the Legislative Assembly of Sikkim". eci.gov.in. Retrieved 14 June 2021.
  21. ^ "Statistical Report on General Election, 2009 to the Legislative Assembly of Sikkim". eci.gov.in. Retrieved 13 June 2021.
  22. ^ "Statistical Report on General Election, 2014 to the Legislative Assembly of Sikkim". eci.gov.in. Retrieved 12 June 2021.
  23. ^ "State Election, 2019 to the legislative assembly of Sikkim". eci.gov.in. Retrieved 17 January 2021.
  24. ^ Joydeep Sen Gupta (6 April 2019). "Sikkim's Sangha Assembly seat is a perfect example of the state's unique political process to protect minority rights - Politics News". Firstpost. Retrieved 19 January 2021.
  25. ^ "R.C. Poudyal and ANR. Vs. Union of India and ORS" (PDF). main.sci.gov.in. 10 February 1993. Retrieved 20 January 2021. ...that the Sangha constituted a vital and important role in the life of the community in Sikkim and had played a major part in taking of decisions by the Councils in the past. [...] The reservation of one seat for Sangha to be elected by an Electoral College of Lamaic monasteries is not based purely on religious distinctions and is, therefore, not unconstitutional as violative of Articles 15(1) and 325 of the Constitution.
  26. ^ "R.C. Poudyal & ANR Vs. Union of India & Ors (1993) INSC 77 (10 February 1993)". www.latestlaws.com. Retrieved 19 January 2021.
  27. ^ "Sikkim Assembly election results 2019: Full list of winners". Zee News. 24 May 2019. Archived from the original on 6 January 2024. Retrieved 15 August 2020.
  28. ^ "Statistical Report on General Election, 2009 to the Legislative Assembly of Sikkim" (PDF). Election Commission of India. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 April 2014. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
  29. ^ "Statistical Report on General Election, 2004 to the Legislative Assembly of Sikkim" (PDF). Election Commission of India. Archived from the original (PDF) on 6 October 2010. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
  30. ^ "Statistical Report on General Election, 1999 to the Legislative Assembly of Sikkim" (PDF). Election Commission of India. Archived from the original (PDF) on 7 October 2010. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
  31. ^ "Statistical Report on General Election, 1994 to the Legislative Assembly of Sikkim" (PDF). Election Commission of India. Archived from the original (PDF) on 7 October 2010. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
  32. ^ "Statistical Report on General Election, 1989 to the Legislative Assembly of Sikkim" (PDF). Election Commission of India. Archived from the original (PDF) on 6 October 2010. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
  33. ^ "Statistical Report on General Election, 1985 to the Legislative Assembly of Sikkim" (PDF). Election Commission of India. Archived from the original (PDF) on 6 October 2010. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
  34. ^ "Statistical Report on General Election, 1979 to the Legislative Assembly of Sikkim" (PDF). Election Commission of India. Archived from the original (PDF) on 6 October 2010. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
  35. ^ R. N. Sen Gupta (25 April 1974). "Election to Sikkim Assembly - Sangha Constituency". p. 68. Retrieved 1 July 2021.
  36. ^ "Election Department Notification:52/CE - Election results (1970)". 14 May 1970. pp. 64–65. Retrieved 16 June 2021.
  37. ^ Election Committee (17 January 1967). "List of people who filed nomination papers". p. 158. Retrieved 24 June 2021.

Further reading

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27°33′N 88°30′E / 27.550°N 88.500°E / 27.550; 88.500