60 criminal record holders in the race for Phase III polls in Assam

GUWAHATI: Eighteen percent of the 345 candidates contesting in the third phase of the Assam assembly elections this year have declared criminal cases against themselves, says a report by the Association for Democratic Reforms.

In the unprecedented criminalization of Assam politics in the 3rd phase of the ensuing Assembly election, 60 persons with criminal antecedents are contesting in the election from 40 constituencies. In 8 of these constituencies, more than 3 candidates have declared criminal cases against themselves.

The Assam Election Watch and the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) have analysed the self-sworn affidavits of all the 337 candidates contesting in the polls to be held on April 6.

Out of a total of 337 candidates analyzed, 45 (13%) have declared serious criminal cases against themselves.

ALSO READ: Sonowal most suitable to be Assam CM; Gaurav Gogoi 2nd & Himanta 3rd: Times Now survey

14 out of 24 candidates analyzed from Congress, 5 out of 12 candidates analyzed from AIUDF, 5  out of 20 candidates analyzed from BJP, 2 out of 8 candidates analyzed from Bodoland Peoples Front, 2 out of 19 candidates analyzed from JD(U), and a single candidate each from AGP and Assam Jatiya Parishad have declared criminal cases against themselves in their affidavits.

On the other hand, 13 (54%) out of 24 candidates analyzed from Congress, 5 (42%) out of 12

candidates analyzed from AIUDF, 4 (20%) out of 20 candidates analyzed from BJP and one candidate each from AGP and Assam Jatiya Parishad have declared serious criminal cases against themselves in their affidavits.

While 6 candidates have declared cases related to crimes against women, 3 candidates have declared cases related to murder.

It is mandatory for political parties at the Central and State election level to upload on their website detailed information regarding candidates with pending criminal cases including the nature of the offenses, relevant particulars like whether charges have been framed, the concerned Court, the case

number, etc.

Political parties will also have to give reasons for such selection and why other individuals without criminal antecedents could not be selected as candidates.

The 2021 Assam Legislative Assembly election is the 15th legislative assembly election scheduled to be held in Assam from March 27 to April 6 in three phases, to elect 126 MLAs to the 15th Assam Legislative Assembly.