# 1974 Sikkimese general election

General elections were held in Sikkim on 13 April 1974. They were the first elections in Sikkim to be held on the basis of universal suffrage, and also the last prior to Indian annexation. The result was a victory for the Sikkim National Congress, which won 31 of the 32 seats in the State Council. Kazi Lhendup Dorjee subsequently became Chief Minister. In May 1975 Sikkim became a state of India, at which point the State Council became the Sikkim Legislative Assembly.

## Background

In the 1973 elections the Sikkim National Party won nine seats out of eighteen elected seats in the 24-seat Sikkim State Council. The Sikkim National Congress and Sikkim Janata Congress claimed there had been vote rigging, leading to protests. Political parties and members of the public demanded one man, one vote. On 8 May 1973 a tripartite agreement was signed between the Chogyal Palden Thondup Namgyal, political parties and the government of India. The agreement provided for the establishment of a responsible government under the supervision of a Chief Executive nominated by the Indian government.

## Electoral system

Through the Representations of Sikkim Subjects Act, 1974, the Chogyal divided Sikkim into 31 territorial constituencies and one Sangha constituency. The 31 territorial constituencies were allocated as 15 for Nepalis, 15 for the Bhutia-Lepcha and one for scheduled castes, under a parity formula. The Sangha constituency represented Chogyal-recognized monasteries.

## Campaign

The Sikkim National Congress contested all the 32 seats, whilst the Sikkim National Party contested five seats. Elections were held with the support of Election Commission of India.

## Results

| | Sikkim National Congress | 31 | +26 |
| | Sikkim National Party | 1 | –8 |
| Total | Total | 32 | +8 |
| Source: Sikkim Assembly Website ||||

### Constituency-wise

| # | Constituency | Reserved for | Winner | Party |
| 1 | Yoksam | BL | Degay Bhutia | Sikkim National Congress |
| 2 | Tashiding | BL | Kazi Lhendup Dorjee | Sikkim National Congress |
| 3 | Geyzing | Nepalis | Kumari Hemlata Chettri | Sikkim National Congress |
| 4 | Dentam | Nepalis | Narbahadur Khatiwada | Sikkim National Congress |
| 5 | Barmiok | Nepalis | Nanda Kumar Subedi | Sikkim National Congress |
| 6 | Rinchenpong | BL | Nayen Tshering Lepcha | Sikkim National Congress |
| 7 | Chakung | Nepalis | B. B. Gurung | Sikkim National Congress |
| 8 | Soreong | Nepalis | Chatur Singh Rai | Sikkim National Congress |
| 9 | Daramdin | Nepalis | Krishna Bahadur Limboo | Sikkim National Congress |
| 10 | Jorethang-Nayabazar | Nepalis | Krishna Chandra Pradhan | Sikkim National Congress |
| 11 | Ralang | BL | Passang Tshering Bhutia | Sikkim National Congress |
| 12 | Wak | BL | Adar Singh Lepcha | Sikkim National Congress |
| 13 | Damthang | Nepalis | Ratna Bijay Rai | Sikkim National Congress |
| 14 | Melli | Nepalis | Nanda Bahadur Rai | Sikkim National Congress |
| 15 | Rateypani West | Nepalis | Pendam Bhuwani Prasad Kharel | Sikkim National Congress |
| 16 | Temi-Tarku | Nepalis | Badri Nath Pradhan | Sikkim National Congress |
| 17 | Central Pendam-East Pendam | Nepalis | Kehar Singh Karki | Sikkim National Congress |
| 18 | Rhenock | Nepalis | Bhawani Prasad Dahal | Sikkim National Congress |
| 19 | Regu | Nepalis | Mohan Gurung | Sikkim National Congress |
| 20 | Pathing | BL | Sonpom Lepcha | Sikkim National Congress |
| 21 | Loosing-Pachekhani | Nepalis | R. C. Poudyal | Sikkim National Congress |
| 22 | Khamdong | SC | Kusu Das | Sikkim National Congress |
| 23 | Djongu | BL | Loden Tsering Lepcha | Sikkim National Congress |
| 24 | Lachen-Mangshila | BL | Tasa Tengay Lepcha | Sikkim National Congress |
| 25 | Kabi-Tingda | BL | Kalzang Gyatso Bhutia | Sikkim National Party |
| 26 | Rakdong-Tentek | BL | Rinzing Tongden Lepcha | Sikkim National Congress |
| 27 | Martam | BL | Shepochung Bhutia | Sikkim National Congress |
| 28 | Rumtek | BL | Phigu Tshering Bhutia | Sikkim National Congress |
| 29 | Assam-Lingjey | BL | Dugo Bhutia | Sikkim National Congress |
| 30 | Ranka | BL | Nim Tshering Lepcha | Sikkim National Congress |
| 31 | Gangtok | BL | Dorjee Tshering Bhutia | Sikkim National Congress |
| 32 | Sangha | Sangha | Karma Gonpo Lama | Sikkim National Congress |
| Source: Sikkim Darbar Gazette ||||||

## Council of Ministers

The Chogyal appointed the Council of Ministers on 23 July.
| Name | Role |
| Kazi Lhendup Dorjee | Chief Minister |
| Rinzing Tongden Lepcha | Minister |
| Bhawani Prasad Dahal | Minister |
| Dorjee Tshering Bhutia | Minister |
| Krishna Chandra Pradhan | Minister |