Of the 146 candidates analysed, 102 (70%) are crorepatis. In the 2019 Sikkim Assembly Elections, out of 150 candidates, 64 (43%) were crorepatis.

Like candidates in Arunachal Pradesh whose assets have increased since 2019, Sikkim has the same story to tell, although the amount may not be that big.

The Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) and Sikkim Election Watch analysed the self-sworn affidavits of all 146 candidates contesting in the Sikkim 2024 Assembly Elections. Out of 146 candidates analysed, 43 are from National parties, 64 are from State parties, 31 are from registered unrecognised parties, and eight are contesting independently.

Of the 146 candidates analysed, 102 (70%) are crorepatis. In the 2019 Sikkim Assembly Elections, out of 150 candidates, 64 (43%) were crorepatis.

“The role of money power in our elections is evident from the fact that all major political parties give tickets to wealthy candidates. Among the major parties 31 (97%) out of 32 candidates analysed from Sikkim Krantikari Morcha, 28 (88%) out of 32 candidates analysed from Sikkim Democratic Front, 21 (68%) out of 31 candidates analysed from BJP, 17 (57%) out of 30 candidates analysed from Citizen Action Party-Sikkim and 5 (63%) out of 8 Independent candidates have declared assets valued more than Rs 1 crore,” the report says.

Delay Namgyal Barfungpa of Sikkim Krantikari Morcha has the highest assets of Rs 137 crore, followed by Bhaichung Bhutia of Sikkim Democratic Front with Rs 127 crore.

The average asset growth for these 19 re-contesting MLAs, between the Sikkim Assembly Elections of 2019 and 2024 is Rs 8.61 Crores.

The assets of Kunga Nima Lepcha of Sikkim Krantikari Morcha fighting from Shyari constituency have increased a whopping 2,950% since 2019. His source of income is Salary and Pension.

Another example is Sanjeet Kharel of Sikkim Krantikari Morcha, fighting from Namthangratey Pani, whose assets have increased by 709% since 2019. His source of income is salary.

Of the 146 candidates analysed in the Sikkim Assembly elections 2024, 8(5%) candidates have declared criminal cases against themselves. In the 2019 Sikkim Assembly Elections, out of 150 candidates analysed, 4(3%) had declared criminal cases against themselves.

Candidates with Serious Criminal Cases: 6(4%) have declared serious criminal cases. In the 2019 Sikkim Assembly Elections, 4 (3%) candidates had declared serious criminal cases against themselves.

Party-wise Candidates with Criminal Cases: 2(6%) out of 32 candidates analysed from Sikkim Democratic Front, 2(6%) out of 32 candidates analysed from Sikkim Krantikari Morcha, 2 (7%) out of 30 candidates analysed from Citizen Action Party-Sikkim and 2(25%) out of 8 independent candidates have declared criminal cases against themselves in their affidavits.

Party-wise Candidates with Serious Criminal Cases: 2(6%) out of 32 candidates analysed from Sikkim Democratic Front, 2(6%) out of 32 candidates analysed from Sikkim Krantikari Morcha and 2 (7%) out of 30 candidates from Citizen Action Party-Sikkim have declared serious criminal cases against themselves.

As regards the education details of candidates, 60 (41%) candidates have declared their educational qualifications to be between 5th and 12th standard, while on the gender details of candidates, 14 (10%) female candidates are contesting in the Sikkim Assembly Elections 2024. In the 2019 Sikkim Assembly Elections, 14(9%) out of 150 candidates analysed were women.