Counting of votes begins in Sikkim

GANGTOK - Counting of votes cast for elections to the 32 assembly constituencies and one Lok Sabha seat of Sikkim began Saturday morning, poll officials said.

Counting began at 8 a.m. for 12 assembly constituencies in the Sikkim East district, three constituencies in North Sikkim, nine constituencies in Sikkim West and nine constituencies in Sikkim South.

The elections were held April 30. In all, 167 candidates are in the fray.

The Sikkim Democratic Front had won 31 seats in the previous assembly elections, while the Congress had wrested the Sangha (monk body) seat.