30% turnout in Sikkim in the Lok Sabha and Assembly seats till 10 am

Nearly 30% turnout was recorded in the lone Lok Sabha and 32 Assembly seats in the Himalayan state of Sikkim till 10.00 am on Saturday.

Among the six contestants for the Lok Sabha seat are Tek Nath Dhakal of the newly-launched Sikkim Krantikari Morcha and sitting SDF MP Prem Das Rai.

There are 121 contestants for the 32 Assembly seats.

Of the total Assembly seats, two are reserved for SC and 12 for the Bhutia and Lepcha communities.

Chief Minister Pawan Chamling, looking for a record fifth consecutive time in office, was contesting from two places - Namchi-Singhithang and Rangang-Yangang.

SKM leader Prem Singh Tamang, known as P S Golay, was a major contender for chief ministership.

Other prominent opposition candidates included SKM's Bharati Sharma from the Soreng-Chakung seat.

Apart from the two home-grown parties, the BJP, Congress, Trinamool Congress and Aam Aadmi Party also put up candidates.

The Congress was contesting all the seats, the BJP 13 seats and TMC seven. There were also five independents in the fray.