The nomination process for the first phase on 102 seats in the Lok Sabha Election 2024 has concluded, with 1618 candidates in the fray. Shockingly, 252 candidates, constituting 16% of the total, have criminal cases registered against them, according to a report by the National Election Watch and Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR).
Out of these candidates, ADR highlights that 161 (10%) have serious criminal cases against them. This includes cases related to murder, crimes against women, and hate speech. Analysis based on party affiliation reveals that 36% of BJP candidates, 34% of Congress candidates, and 100% of RJD candidates have criminal cases against them.
In the first phase, 59% of candidates from the DMK, 43% from the SP, and 40% from the Trinamool Congress have tarnished images. Moreover, red alerts have been issued in 42 constituencies where multiple candidates with criminal records are contesting.
Additionally, 28% of candidates are millionaires, with 90% from the BJP and 88% from the Congress. The average assets of BJP candidates amount to ₹23.37 crore, while for Congress candidates, it stands at ₹31.22 crore. RJD candidates have an average asset of ₹8.93 crore, while DMK candidates have ₹27.79 crore.
The alarming statistics underscore the need for stringent measures to ensure the integrity of the electoral process and uphold democratic values.
