Despite a series of efforts made by the people of Linkey ward, the State Election Commission (SEC) of Sikkim have not yet modified the reservation roster leading to strong resentment among the masses.

As a result, on the final day for filing nominations, the residents of Linkey ward abstained from elections.

The residents of Linkey ward has declared on October 18 that no nomination would be filed for the panchayat elections, unless the reservation criterion was modified.

According to a senior citizen of Linkey Ward in East Pakyong – Rinzing Dorjee Bhutia “Majority of people in Linkey Ward belong to Scheduled Tribe (ST) specifically Bhutia-Lepcha community which is more than 90 percent. But as per the recent notification, the residents of Linkey Ward has to cast their votes under OBC reservation roster. In accordance with the grievance, we have already passed a resolution and submitted it to the Secretary of Rural Development Department (RDD) – CS Rao. But he mentioned that it cannot be modified due to the Model code of Conduct (MCC) which is already in place.”

“Therefore, as a mark of protest, we have decided to abstain from filing nomination for the panchayat elections. We want the concerned department to change the seat reservation pattern. If the demand is not fulfilled, the agitating residents would take-up black flags and gherao offices,” – he added.

The resolution which has been submitted to the Secretary reads that “the ‘self-explanatory Resolution’ adopted unanimously by the voters of Ward No- 6 Linkeyunder 21 Linkey Parkha GP unit in Gnathang-Machong constituency, East Sikkim, during an emergency meeting conducted due to the adoption of an illegal and unconstitutional method in allotting seat reservation formula, particularly in our ward No-6 Linkey, by which misunderstanding and animosity amongst peace-loving people of the village are in intensification and village loving harmony is under threat.”