Sangha Assembly constituency

Sangha Assembly constituency is one of the 32 assembly constituencies of Sikkim, a state in the Northeast region of India. It is a part of the Sikkim Lok Sabha constituency.[5] As of 2019, Sonam Lama is the holder of this seat. His current term is expected to end by 2024.

Sangha
Constituency No. 32 for the Sikkim Legislative Assembly
Constituency details
CountryIndia
RegionNortheast India
StateSikkim
LS constituencySikkim
Established1958[1][2]
Total electors3,293[3]
ReservationSangha[4]
Member of Legislative Assembly
10th Sikkim Legislative Assembly
Incumbent
PartySikkim Krantikari Morcha
Elected year2019
Sikkim (highlighted in red), within India

This seat is reserved for the Buddhist monastic community (Sangha) of Sikkim.[4] Buddhist monks and nuns, registered with the 111 recognized monasteries in the state,[6] are the only ones who can contest and cast their votes for this Assembly seat.[4]

Members of Sikkim State Council

The Sangha constituency was created in 1958 for the Sikkim State Council,[1] after requests from the monastery associations to the Chogyal.[2]

Year Member Party
1958Lharipa Rinzing Lama[7][8] Sikkim National Party[1]
1967Pema Lama[9] Independent
1970Rinzing Chewang Lama[10]
1973Peyching Lama[11] Sikkim National Party[1]
1974Karma Gompu Lama[12][13] Sikkim National Congress[14]

Members of the Legislative Assembly

After the 1975 Sikkimese monarchy referendum, Sikkim became a state of India and the members of the State Council at the time, were deemed to be the Legislative Assembly of the new state of Sikkim.

Year Member Party
1974Karma Gompu Lama[12][13] Sikkim National Congress[14]
1979[15]Lhachen Ganchen Rimpuchhi Independent
1985[16]Namkha Gyaltsen[13] Sikkim Sangram Parishad
1989[17]
1994[18] Indian National Congress
1999Palden Lama[19] Independent
2004Tshering Lama[20] Indian National Congress
2009Phetook Tsh. Bhutia[21] Sikkim Democratic Front
2014[22]Sonam Lama Sikkim Krantikari Morcha
2019[23]

Supreme Court Case

In 1993, a case was brought in the Supreme Court of India, challenging the reservation for the Sangha constituency and for the Bhutia-Lepcha constituencies in Sikkim, by Ram Chandra Poudyal[24] of the Rising Sun Party. The Supreme Court dismissed the petition, judging that the Sangha had played a major part in previous Councils' decision-making and the reservation is not based purely on religious distinctions and is, therefore, not unconstitutional.[25][26]

Election Results

2019
2019 Sikkim Legislative Assembly election: Sangha[23]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
SKM Sonam Lama 1,488 62.63 Increase12.77
SDF Tshering Lama 858 36.11 Increase31.20
INC Karma Tashi Bhutia 17 0.72 NA
None of the Above None of the Above 13 0.55 Decrease0.50
Majority 630 26.52 Increase20.83
Turnout 2,376 72.15 Decrease2.61
Registered electors 3,293 Increase13.39
SKM hold Swing

2014
2014 Sikkim Legislative Assembly election: Sangha[22]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
SKM Sonam Lama 1,096 49.86 NA
SDF Palden Luchungpa 971 44.18 NA
INC Tshering Lama 108 4.91 Decrease41.81
None of the Above None of the Above 23 1.05 NA
Majority 125 5.69 Increase3.90
Turnout 2,198 74.76 Increase10.02
Registered electors 2,904 Decrease5.03
SKM gain from SDF Swing

2009
2009 Sikkim Legislative Assembly election: Sangha[21]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
SDF Phetook Tsh. Bhutia 980 49.49 NA
INC Tshering Lama 925 46.72 Increase14.39
BJP Samdup Dorjee Lama 75 3.79 Increase1.30
Majority 55 1.79 Decrease2.62
Turnout 1,980 64.74 Increase0.32
Registered electors 3,058 Decrease1.89
SDF gain from INC Swing

2004
2004 Sikkim Legislative Assembly election: Sangha[20]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
INC Tshering Lama 675 32.33 NA
Independent Palden Lama 587 28.11 Decrease38.24
SDF Namkha Gyaltse Bhutia 449 21.50 NA
Independent Thinley Gyatso Lepcha 310 14.85 NA
BJP Samdup Dorjee Lama 52 2.49 NA
Independent Sonam Dorjee 15 0.72 NA
Majority 92 4.41 Decrease43.18
Turnout 2,008 64.42 Increase4.45
Registered electors 3,117 Decrease5.25
INC gain from Independent Swing

1999
1999 Sikkim Legislative Assembly election: Sangha[19]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Independent Palden Lama 1,309 66.35 Increase26.88
INC Namkha Gyaltsen Lama 370 18.75 Decrease28.33
SSP Dorjee Dadul Lama 294 14.90 NA
Majority 939 47.49 Increase40.06
Turnout 1,973 59.97 Increase5.96
Registered electors 3,290 Increase6.61
Independent gain from INC Swing

1994
1994 Sikkim Legislative Assembly election: Sangha[18]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
INC Namkha Gyaltsen Lama 767 47.08 Decrease7.66
SSP Palden Lama 643 39.47 NA
Independent Sherab Dorji 150 9.21 NA
Independent Karma Tenpa 40 2.46 NA
Independent Tshering Lama 16 0.98 Increase0.84
Independent Danen Lama 13 0.80 NA
Majority 124 7.43 Decrease17.50
Turnout 1,667 54.01 Increase6.12
Registered electors 3,086 Decrease4.04
INC gain from SSP Swing

1989
1989 Sikkim Legislative Assembly election: Sangha[17]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
SSP Namkha Gyaltsen Lama 806 54.72 Increase2.40
Independent Bazing 422 28.65 NA
INC Rikzing Lama 200 13.58 NA
RIS Pegyal 38 2.58 NA
Independent Kalzang Lama 5 0.34 NA
Independent Tshering Lama 2 0.14 NA
Majority 384 24.93 Increase20.29
Turnout 1,540 47.89 Increase16.01
Registered electors 3,216 Increase40.07
SSP hold Swing

1985
1985 Sikkim Legislative Assembly election: Sangha[16]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
SSP Namkha Gyaltsen Lama 383 52.32 NA
INC Lachen Gomchen Rinpochi 349 47.68 Decrease46.54
Majority 34 4.64 Decrease83.79
Turnout 732 31.88 Decrease6.25
Registered electors 2,296 Increase8.61
SSP gain from Independent Swing

1979
1979 Sikkim Legislative Assembly election: Sangha[15]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
INC Lachen Gomchen Rinpochi 733 94.22 NA
SPC Pema Lama 45 5.78
Majority 688 88.43
Turnout 806 38.13
Registered electors 2,114
Independent gain from SNC Swing

1974
1974 Sikkimese general election: Sangha[12]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
SNC Karma Gonpo Lama NA
Independent Pema Chophel Lama[27] NA
Majority NA
Turnout NA
SNC gain from SNP Swing NA

1973

In the 1973 election, Peyching Lama was elected unopposed.[11]

1970
1970 Sikkimese general election: Sangha[28]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Independent Rinzing Chewang Lama 367 82.29
SJP Karma Lama 46 10.31
SNC Kincho Tempa Lama 33 7.40
Majority 321 71.97
Turnout 446
Independent hold Swing

1967
1967 Sikkimese general election: Sangha[29][9]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Independent Pema Lama
Rabzang Lama
Majority
Turnout

See also

References
  1. Hamlet Bareh, ed. (2001). Encyclopaedia of North-East India: Sikkim. Vol. 7. Mittal Publications. p. 16. ISBN 9788170997948.
  2. Tashi Namgyal (16 March 1958). "Proclamation of His Highness Sir Tashi Namgyal, KCSI, KCIE, Maharaja of Sikkim, Dated the 16th March, 1958" (PDF). p. 102. Retrieved 16 June 2021.
  3. "Vidhan Sabha Elections Sikkim 2019 - Voters Turnout Statistical Data" (PDF). ceosikkim.nic.in. Retrieved 1 January 2021.
  4. "32-Sangha constituency: Sikkim's intangible seat, where only monks contest and vote". The Hindu. 4 April 2019. Retrieved 3 January 2021.
  5. "Delimitation of Parliamentary and Assembly Constituencies Order, 2008" (PDF). 26 November 2008. Retrieved 24 June 2021.
  6. "32-Sangha Assembly constituency - One of its kind in the country". ceosikkim.nic.in. Archived from the original on 18 August 2019. Retrieved 22 January 2021.
  7. "Results of elections - 1958". Sikkim Darbar Gazette. 8 (7). December 1958.
  8. Pem Choden Tenzing (July 2019). Monarchy to Democracy Understanding Political Development in Sikkim, 1970-1994 (Thesis). p. 149. Retrieved 17 June 2021.
  9. "Sikkim Darbar Gazette - Declaration of the Results of Election, 1967". 8 April 1967. pp. 67–68. Retrieved 16 June 2021.
  10. "Sikkim Darbar Gazette - Declaration of the Results of Election, 1970". 14 May 1970. pp. 59–60. Retrieved 16 June 2021.
  11. Sunanda K Datta-Ray (1984). Smash And Grab - Annexation Of Sikkim. p. 166. Retrieved 15 June 2021. ...they were supported by Peyching Lama, who had been elected un-contested from the monasteries...
  12. P. K. Ghosh (30 April 1974). "General Election to Sikkim Assembly - Publication of Results of Election". pp. 70–71. Retrieved 1 July 2021.
  13. S. Balakrishnan. "Viewpoint: 'Sangha' Constituency - Sikkim's Unique Seat". thephoenixpostindia.com. Retrieved 19 January 2021.
  14. AC Sinha. "Chapter 8: Sikkim" (PDF). ...election to the State Assembly were held in April, 1974. With exception of one Lepcha-Bhotia seat to a nominee of Sikkim National Party, the remaining 31 seats were captured by the newly formed Sikkim Congress.
  15. "Statistical Report on General Election, 1979 to the Legislative Assembly of Sikkim". eci.gov.in. Retrieved 1 July 2021.
  16. "Statistical Report on General Election, 1985 to the Legislative Assembly of Sikkim". eci.gov.in. Retrieved 30 June 2021.
  17. "Statistical Report on General Election, 1989 to the Legislative Assembly of Sikkim". eci.gov.in. Retrieved 28 June 2021.
  18. "Statistical Report on General Election, 1994 to the Legislative Assembly of Sikkim". eci.gov.in. Retrieved 27 June 2021.
  19. "Statistical Report on General Election, 1999 to the Legislative Assembly of Sikkim". eci.gov.in. Retrieved 22 June 2021.
  20. "Statistical Report on General Election, 2004 to the Legislative Assembly of Sikkim". eci.gov.in. Retrieved 14 June 2021.
  21. "Statistical Report on General Election, 2009 to the Legislative Assembly of Sikkim". eci.gov.in. Retrieved 13 June 2021.
  22. "Statistical Report on General Election, 2014 to the Legislative Assembly of Sikkim". eci.gov.in. Retrieved 12 June 2021.
  23. "State Election, 2019 to the legislative assembly of Sikkim". eci.gov.in. Retrieved 17 January 2021.
  24. Joydeep Sen Gupta (6 April 2019). "Sikkim's Sangha Assembly seat is a perfect example of the state's unique political process to protect minority rights - Politics News". Firstpost. Retrieved 19 January 2021.
  25. "R.C. Poudyal and ANR. Vs. Union of India and ORS" (PDF). main.sci.gov.in. 10 February 1993. Retrieved 20 January 2021. ...that the Sangha constituted a vital and important role in the life of the community in Sikkim and had played a major part in taking of decisions by the Councils in the past. [...] The reservation of one seat for Sangha to be elected by an Electoral College of Lamaic monasteries is not based purely on religious distinctions and is, therefore, not unconstitutional as violative of Articles 15(1) and 325 of the Constitution.
  26. "R.C. Poudyal & ANR Vs. Union of India & Ors (1993) INSC 77 (10 February 1993)". www.latestlaws.com. Retrieved 19 January 2021.
  27. R. N. Sen Gupta (25 April 1974). "Election to Sikkim Assembly - Sangha Constituency". p. 68. Retrieved 1 July 2021.
  28. "Election Department Notification:52/CE - Election results (1970)". 14 May 1970. pp. 64–65. Retrieved 16 June 2021.
  29. Election Committee (17 January 1967). "List of people who filed nomination papers". p. 158. Retrieved 24 June 2021.

Further reading

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