The Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) declared its boycott of the upcoming Urban Local Body (ULB) elections, citing concerns over the fairness of the seat reservation system. SDF’s vice president, Krishna Kharel, criticized the allocation of seats as unjust and unconstitutional, based on an alleged unverified census. Kharel emphasized the party’s stance on ensuring equitable representation for all communities before participating in the polls.
Questioning the validity of the 2022 census claimed by Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang, Kharel highlighted the absence of public records or notifications regarding the census. He argued that any seat reservations should be grounded in the 2011 national census, as the only recognized census data. Kharel pointed out discrepancies in seat allocations among different communities, citing examples like the Gurung community receiving only one seat statewide.
Kharel raised concerns about the alleged lack of transparency and public consultation in the reservation process, labeling the 2022 census as party-driven and undisclosed. The SDF official also expressed dissatisfaction with the State Election Commission’s response to the party’s objections. Additionally, Kharel criticized the timing of the elections, suggesting that stakeholders were given insufficient time to react following the sudden announcement of polls in districts like Pakyong and Soreng.
