“ONLY BONAFIDE SIKKIMESE CAN CONTEST POLLS”

KC Pradhan and LD Kazi

   Former Chief Minister and chief architect of Sikkim’s merger with India, Kazi Lhendup Dorji Khangsarpa, and former Minister of the Kazi Cabinet, Krishna Chandra Pradhan, have demanded that only Sikkimese candidates belonging to the three ethnic communities of the State should be allowed to contest Assembly and Lok Sabha elections in the State. They have also demanded a thorough revision of the electoral rolls on the basis of the 1974 voters list, which informed sources said, had the names of only bonafide Sikkimese possessing genuine Sikkim Subjects Certificate.

   In their memorandum submitted to the Election Commissioner, GVG Krishnamurthy, in Gangtok this week, the two leaders also demanded imposition of President’s rule in the State prior to the coming elections. This was necessary for conducting a free and fair polls in the State, they said.

   The two merger veterans said they had earlier demanded extensive revision of the electoral rolls on the basis of the 1974 list, which was prepared prior to Sikkim becoming an Associate State of India. They alleged the recent “Special Revision” is “not in the interest of the public in general and the Sikkimese voters in particular.” Only supporters of the ruling Sikkim Democratic Front have been included in the revised list, the memorandum stated.

   Kazi and Pradhan have demanded the setting up of a special team of officers to revise the voters list so that names of genuine voters are not left out. While opposing exercise of “dual franchise” by voters the two leaders have said those who belong to other States must produce no-objection certificates if they want their names to be included in the State’s voters list.

   Reiterating their demand for seat reservation in the Sikkim Legislative Assembly for the Sikkimese people only, the two leaders said while “non-Sikkimese” may exercise their franchise in the State only bonafide Sikkimese belonging to the three ethnic communities – Lepchas, Bhutias and Nepalese – should be allowed to contest from the 32 seats in the House.

   “As per provisions made in the Article 371F of the Constitution only ethnic communities of Sikkimese should be allowed to stand for election. While other non-Sikkimese may exercise their franchise in choosing their representatives for the Sikkim Assembly provided their names are included in the voter’s list and they are in possession of the identity cards issued by the Election Commission.”

(Ref: Sikkim Observer, May 29-June 4, 1999 and Sikkim For Sikkimese: Distinct Identity Within The Union, Jigme N. Kazi, Hill Media Publications, 2009)