Elections in Uttarakhand

Overview of the procedure of elections in the Indian state of Uttarakhand

Uttarakhand

Elections for the Uttarakhand Legislative Assembly (Uttarakhand Vidhan Sabha) in Uttarakhand state, India are conducted in accordance with the Constitution of India. The legislative assembly of Uttarakhand creates laws regarding the conduct of local body elections unilaterally while any changes by the state legislature to the conduct of state level elections need to be approved by the Parliament of India. In addition, the state legislature may be dismissed by the Parliament according to Article 356 of the Indian Constitution and President's rule may be imposed.

## Brief political history

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Gangotri is considered a bellwether seat as it has voted for the winning party/alliance in every election since the state's formation. Ranikhet and Purola constituencies were considered a jinx for any party as they voted for the party which would sit in the opposition. However, this myth was broken in 2022, when the BJP formed the government while winning from both Ranikhet and Purola. It was also considered that every incumbent government would face defeat in the next election and not get re-elected. However, in 2022 the BJP broke this myth and got re-elected with an absolute majority. It is also believed that every incumbent chief minister loses their seat in the next election. This myth still holds true (barring the first election in 2002). In Uttarakhand, the single-largest party has always formed the government despite not getting the majority. Out of the 13 districts in Uttarakhand, 9 voted for the BJP in 2022, 2 for the congress and 2 were evenly split. Below is the election data of each district-

### Results by district

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Districts  | Seats  | BJP | INC | Others

|
|
|
|

Garhwal Division
Uttarkashi | 3  | 2  | 0  | 1
Chamoli | 3  | 2  | 1  | 0
Rudraprayag | 2  | 2  | 0  | 0
Tehri Garhwal | 6  | 5  | 1  | 0
Dehradun | 10  | 9  | 1  | 0
Haridwar | 11  | 3  | 5  | 3
Pauri Garhwal | 6  | 6  | 0  | 0
Kumaon Division
Pithoragarh | 4  | 2  | 2  | 0
Bageshwar | 2  | 2  | 0  | 0
Almora | 6  | 4  | 2  | 0
Champawat | 2  | 1  | 1  | 0
Nainital | 6  | 5  | 1  | 0
Udham Singh Nagar | 9  | 4  | 5  | 0
Total  | 70  | 47  | 19  | 4

### Almora district

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Most of the seats in the district were won by Congress in 2002 and 2007 while the BJP lead from the district in 2017 and 2022. It was evenly slit in 2012. It has shifted towards BJP since 2012.

### Bageshwar district

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The district is considered a stronghold of the BJP as it won from this district in 2007,2017 and 2022. It was evenly split in 2012 and the Congress dominated it in 2002.

### Champawat district

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The district is considered a swing district as it was evenly split in 2007,2012 and 2022. The Congress and BJP won the district in 2002 and 2017 respectively. However, it has shifted towards BJP since incumbent CM Pushkar Singh Dhami's bypoll win from Champawat.

### Dehradun district

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It is considered as a stronghold of the BJP as it has voted majorly for the party in every election barring the 2002 election.

### Haridwar district

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The BJP dominated this district in 2012 and 2017. The BSP dominated in 2002 and 2007 and the Congress in 2022.

### Nainital district

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The district was won by the BJP in 2007,2017 and 2022 and by the Congress in 2002 and 2012. It has shifted towards the BJP in recent years.

### Pithoragarh district

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It is another swing district as it was split evenly in 2002 and 2022. The BJP dominated the district in 2007 and 2017 and the Congress in 2012.

### Pauri Garhwal district

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The district was dominated by the BJP in 2007, 2017 and 2022 and by the Congress in 2002. It was evenly split in 2012. It has shifted towards BJP in recent years.

### Rudraprayag district

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The district was won by the BJP in 2002,2007 and 2022. The Congress won it in 2012 and it was split in 2017. It typically leans towards the BJP.

### Tehri Garhwal district

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The district was won by the BJP in 2017 and 2022 and by the Congress in 2002. It was evenly split in 2007 and 2012. It has shifted towards the BJP in recent years.

### Udham Singh Nagar district

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The district was won by the BJP in 2012 and 2017 and by the Congress in 2007 and 2022. It was split in 2002. It is another swing district.

## Major political parties

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The Bharatiya Janata Party, Indian National Congress have been the most popular parties in the state since its inception. Other influential parties include, Bahujan Samaj Party, Aam Aadmi Party and Uttarakhand Kranti Dal. Samajwadi Party was also an influential party in the state but has now declined.

## Lok Sabha elections

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Keys: BJP (18)  INC (6)  SP (1)

Election | Lok Sabha | Party-wise details  | Constituencies | Ref.

|
|
|
|

Party  | Seats | Tehri Garhwal | Garhwal | Almora | Nainital | Nainital–Udhamsingh Nagar | Haridwar
2004 | 14th Lok Sabha |  | BJP | 3  | BJP  | BJP  | BJP  | INC  | did not exist | SP  | [1]
| INC | 1
| SP | 1
2009 | 15th Lok Sabha |  | INC | 5  | INC  | INC  | INC  | Constituency abolished | INC  | INC  | [2]
2014 | 16th Lok Sabha |  | BJP | 5  | BJP  | BJP  | BJP  | BJP  | BJP  | [3]
2019 | 17th Lok Sabha |  | BJP | 5  | BJP  | BJP  | BJP  | BJP  | BJP  | [4]
2024 | 18th Lok Sabha |  | BJP | 5  | BJP  | BJP  | BJP  | BJP  | BJP  |

## Vidhan Sabha elections

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Keys: BJP (189)  INC (119)  BSP (20)  UKD/UKD(P) (8)  NCP (1)  Independent (13)

Election | Vidhan Sabha | Party-wise details  | Chief Minister | Party

|
|
|
|

Party  | Seats
2002 | 1st Vidhan Sabha |  | INC | 36  | Narayan Datt Tiwari | INC
| BJP | 19
| BSP | 7
| UKD | 4
| NCP | 1
| IND | 3
Total | 70
2007 | 2nd Vidhan Sabha |  | BJP | 35  | Bhuwan Chandra Khanduri
(2007–09) | BJP
| INC | 21
| BSP | 8  | Ramesh Pokhriyal
(2009–11)
| UKD | 3
| IND | 3  | Bhuwan Chandra Khanduri
(2011–12)
Total | 70
2012 | 3rd Vidhan Sabha |  | INC | 32  | Vijay Bahuguna
(2012–14) | INC
| BJP | 31
| BSP | 3
| UKD(P) | 1  | Harish Rawat
(2014–17)
| IND | 3
Total | 70
2017 | 4th Vidhan Sabha |  | BJP | 57  | Trivendra Singh Rawat
(2017–21) | BJP
| INC | 11
| IND | 2  | Pushkar Singh Dhami
(2021-2022)
Total | 70
2022 | 5th Vidhan Sabha |  | BJP | 47  | Pushkar Singh Dhami
(2022–incumbent)
| INC | 19
| BSP | 2
| IND | 2
Total | 70

### 1st Assembly Election, 2002

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2002 Uttarakhand Legislative Assembly elections were the first Vidhan Sabha (Legislative Assembly) elections held in the state. The Interim Uttarakhand Assembly was led by Chief Minister Bhagat Singh Koshyari prior to the election, but no chief ministerial candidate was named before the elections. The Indian National Congress emerged as the largest party with 36 seats in the 70-seat legislature whereas the Bharatiya Janata Party secured the second place with 19 seats. Veteran Congress leader N. D. Tiwari was chosen as the new Chief Minister despite him not being a member of the legislative assembly. He later won the by-election held to the Ramnagar constituency.

### 2nd Assembly Election, 2007

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2007 Uttarakhand state assembly elections were the second Vidhan Sabha elections held in the state. The Bharatiya Janata Party emerged as the single largest party with 35 seats in the 70-seat legislature. One seat short of forming a majority, the BJP had to rely on the support of the Uttarakhand Kranti Dal and three independents to form the government. Former Union Minister B. C. Khanduri became the new Chief Minister despite him not being a member of the legislative assembly. He later won the by-election held to the Dhumakot constituency. The Indian National Congress was the official opposition, holding 21 seats. Ramesh Pokhriyal briefly held the post of chief minister after B.C. Khanduri resigned due to the BJP's dismal performance in the 2009 Lok Sabha elections from the state. However, he was replaced by B.C. Khanduri after two years due to corruption allegations revealed against him.

### 3rd Assembly Election, 2012

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2012 Uttarakhand state assembly elections were the third Vidhan Sabha elections held in the state. Uttarakhand had turned out incumbent governments in the first two elections held in the state since its formation. The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party fought the election under the leadership of its Chief Minister B. C. Khanduri. The main opposition Indian National Congress was led in the assembly by Harak Singh Rawat, but no chief ministerial candidate was named before the elections. The interim tenure of former Chief Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal, which was marked by large-scale corruption accusations, was likely to be the main election issue.

The elections took place on 30 January, with the results being announced on 6 March. In a closely contested election, the Indian National Congress emerged as the single largest party with 32 seats followed by the Bharatiya Janata Party with 31 seats. Notably the incumbent Chief minister B. C. Khanduri lost from his seat. Vijay Bahuguna was appointed as Chief minister despite him not being a member of the legislative assembly. He later won the by-election held to the Sitarganj constituency.

Later, Harish Rawat took over as the chief minister in 2014. He was elected from a bypoll in Dharchula Assembly constituency. In 2016, a brief period of President's rule was imposed in the state after 9 Congress mla's including former chief minister Vijay Bahuguna and former minister Harak Singh Rawat, switched over to the BJP. Ultimately, Harish Rawat managed to hold on to his government.

### 4th Assembly Election, 2017

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2017 Uttarakhand state assembly elections were the fourth Vidhan Sabha elections held in the state. The Bharatiya Janata Party riding on the popularity[citation needed] of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, secured a record landslide victory, winning 57 of the total 70 seats. The ruling Indian National Congress was reduced to a record low of 11 seats, with the incumbent Chief Minister Harish Rawat himself losing from both the seats that he had contested from. Although the BJP had not projected anyone as its chief ministerial candidate, Trivendra Singh Rawat was chosen as the new Chief Minister after the elections. In 2021, Tirath Singh Rawat briefly became the Chief Minister, followed by Pushkar Singh Dhami.

### 5th Assembly Election, 2022

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2022 Uttarakhand state assembly elections were the fifth Vidhan Sabha elections held in the state. The Bharatiya Janata Party, despite its tally of seats shrinking significantly, secured a landslide victory, winning 47 of the total 70 seats. It was the first time in the history of Uttarakhand when the ruling party came back to power in the state winning back-to-back assembly elections, although the incumbent Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami lost his seat. The main opposition Indian National Congress bagged 19 seats, with their party leader Harish Rawat also losing from his seat once again. Dhami was later elected from a bypoll in Champawat and was re-elected as the chief minister.

## Local Body elections

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Local body elections are held every 5 years, each for the urban bodies and the rural bodies. Independent candidates have been dominant in these elections while the BJP performs well in the urban local bodies. Congress is also a major party in these elections. The latest local body election was held in January 2025.

## See also

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* Local elections in Uttarakhand
* List of by-elections to the Uttarakhand Legislative Assembly

## References

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1. ^ "General Election 2004: Chief Electoral Officer , Government of Uttarakhand, India".
2. ^ "General Election 2009: Chief Electoral Officer , Government of Uttarakhand, India".
3. ^ "General Election 2014: Chief Electoral Officer , Government of Uttarakhand, India".
4. ^ "General Election 2019: Chief Electoral Officer , Government of Uttarakhand, India".

## External links

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* "Vidhan Sabha Election Results". ceo.uk.gov.in. Chief Electoral Officer , Government Of Uttarakhand, India. Retrieved 24 May 2022.
* http://eci.gov.in/eci_main/StatisticalReports/AE2012/Statistical_Report_UKT2012.pdf
* parliamentary Lok Sabha elections 2014 in uttarakhand

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Elections in Uttarakhand

General
elections|

* 2004
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Assembly
elections|

* 2002
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* Next
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Local
elections|

| Municipal
elections|

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* 2025

|

Panchayat
elections|

* 2003
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See also: Elections in India

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* See also: Elections in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands
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Presidential elections
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State of Uttarakhand

State capitals: legislative: Dehradun (winter); Bhararisain (summer); judicial: Nainital

Government|

| Symbols|

* Day
* Emblem
* Song
* Motto

|

Executive|

* Governor
* Chief Minister
* Council of Ministers
* Cabinets
* Chief Secretary
* Gazette
* Agencies
* Departments
* Disaster Response Force
* Fire and Emergency Services
* Provincial Armed Constabulary
* Forest Department
* Police Department
* Public Works Department
* Public Service Commission
* Provincial Civil Service
* Provincial Police Service
* Provincial Forest Service

Legislature|

* Legislative Assembly
* History
* Speaker
* Leader of the Opposition

Judiciary|

* High Court
* Chief Justice
* Judges
* Bar Council
* Lok Adalat
* Lokayukta

History|

| Ancient
kingdoms|

* Uttarakuru kingdom
* Paurava kingdom
* Khasa Janapada kingdom
* Himalaya kingdom
* Parvata kingdom
* Kirata kingdom
* Nanda Empire
* Maurya Empire
* Kushan Empire
* Kuninda kingdom
* Gupta Empire

|

Medieval
kingdoms|

* Garhwal Kingdom
* Panwar dynasty
* Kumaon kingdom
* Katyuri dynasty
* Chand dynasty
* Khasa kingdom
* Raika kingdom
* Gorkha kingdom
* Shah dynasty
* Anglo-Nepalese War
* Treaty of Sugauli

Colonial
Uttarakhand|

| Company
rule|

* Ceded and conquered provinces
* North-Western Provinces
* Agra Presidency

|

Crown
rule|

* United Provinces of Agra and Oudh
* United Provinces

Contemporary
Uttarakhand|

* Rampur Tiraha firing
* Bifurcation of Uttar Pradesh

Geography
and
ecology|

| Geological
features|

| Mountains|

* Great Himalayas
* Garhwal Himalayas
* Sivalik Hills
* Mountain peaks
* Bugyals
* Lakes

|

Plains|

* Bhabar
* Doon Valley
* Terai
* Doab
* Ganges Basin

Ecoregions|

| Highlands|

* Western Himalayan alpine shrub and meadows
* Western Himalayan subalpine conifer forests
* Himalayan subtropical pine forests

|

Lowlands|

* Western Himalayan broadleaf forests
* Himalayan subtropical broadleaf forests
* Terai–Duar savanna and grasslands
* Upper Gangetic Plains moist deciduous forests

Demographics|

| Ethnic
groups|

| Indo-Aryans|

* Garhwalis
* Kumaonis
* Jaunsaris
* Buksas
* Tharus
* Van Gujjars

|

Tibeto-Burmans|

* Bhotiyas
* Shaukas
* Rajis
* Jads
* Banrawats

Caste
groups|

* Gangari Brahmin
* Kumaoni Rajput
* Sarola Brahmin
* Scheduled Castes
* Scheduled Tribes

Languages|

| Official|

* Hindi
* Sanskrit

|

Spoken|

| Indo-Aryan|

* Garhwali
* Kumaoni
* Jaunsari
* Bangani
* Buksa
* Tharu
* Van Gujjari

|

Tibeto-Burman|

* Rongpo
* Byangsi
* Chaudangsi
* Darmiya
* Raji
* Rawat
* Jad

Administrative
divisions|

| Urban|

* Districts
* Tehsils
* Urban Local Bodies
* Municipal Corporations

|

Rural|

* Parganas
* Community Development Blocks

Politics|

* Coolie-Begar movement
* Statehood movement
* Chipko movement
* 2016 political crisis
* Elections
* Local elections
* Assembly constituencies
* Former constituencies
* Parliamentary constituencies
* Rajya Sabha members
* Lok Sabha members

Tourism|

| Monuments|

* World Heritage Site
* Nanda Devi and Valley of Flowers National Parks
* Ramsar Wetland
* Asan Barrage
* Monuments of National Importance
* State Protected Monuments
* Temples
* Tourist attractions in Dehradun

|

Chardham
circuit|

* Gangotri
* Yamunotri
* Yamunotri Temple
* Badrinath
* Badrinath Temple
* Kedarnath
* Kedarnath Temple
* Sapta Badri
* Panch Kedar
* Panch Prayag
* Gomukh

National
parks|

* Gangotri
* Govind Pashu Vihar
* Jim Corbett
* Nanda Devi
* Rajaji
* Valley of Flowers

Sports|

* Cricket
* Men's cricket team
* Women's cricket team
* Association football
* Men's football team
* Cricket Stadium
* Olympic Stadium
* Sports College

Other
topics|

* Transport
* Airports
* Char Dham Highway
* Char Dham Railway
* Dehradun–Rishikesh–Haridwar Metro
* Music
* Cuisine
* Kumaoni cuisine
* Economy
* Education
* School Education Board
* Institutes of higher education
* Awards and decorations
* Uttarakhand Ratna
* Uttarakhand Gaurav Samman

Districts|

| Kumaon|

* Almora
* Bageshwar
* Champawat
* Nainital
* Pithoragarh
* Udham Singh Nagar

|

Garhwal|

* Chamoli
* Dehradun
* Haridwar
* Pauri Garhwal
* Rudraprayag
* Tehri Garhwal
* Uttarkashi

Major
cities|

* Dehradun
* Haridwar
* Haldwani
* Roorkee
* Kashipur
* Rudrapur
* Kotdwar
* Rishikesh
* Ramnagar
* Pithoragarh
* Srinagar
* New Tehri
* Nainital
* Mussoorie
* Almora
* Pauri

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