Absolute majority for BJP in Arunachal, one seat for Congress, SKM in Sikkim

ITANAGAR: Counting of votes for Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim assembly elections is continuing. In Arunachal, 10 BJP candidates, including Chief Minister Premakhandu and Deputy Chief Minister Chauna Main, were elected unopposed in the 60-member Assembly. The counting of votes in the remaining 50 seats is progressing. When the results are coming, the BJP has secured power. Latest reports said NDA is leading in 37 seats, National People's Party (NPP) in six seats and Congress in one seat. Thirty-one seats are required for an absolute majority. In 2019, BJP won 41 seats. Exit polls predicted that the BJP would continue to rule.

Polling was held for 32 seats in Sikkim. When the lead status comes out, the ruling Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) is leading in 24 seats. NDA is leading in one seat too. The exit poll predicted continuous rule.

The election commission decided to count the votes earlier in the context of the end of the term of the legislatures in both the states today. Counting of votes started from 6 am.
The polls to the legislative assemblies of both the states were held on April 19. The polling percentage was 79.88 in Sikkim and 82.95 in Arunachal Pradesh. The main contest in Sikkim is between the ruling SCM and Pawan Kumar Chamling's SDF. BJP and Congress candidates are also in the fray.

The main battle in the 60-member Arunachal Legislative Assembly is between the ruling BJP and the Congress. BJP fielded candidates in all 60 seats. However, the congress contested in only 19 seats. National People's Party (NPP) and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) are also in the fray. In 2019, BJP won 41 seats, Janata Dal (United) seven, NPP five, Congress four, People's Party of Arunachal (PPA) one and two independents.