A third of candidates in fray in 1st phase face criminal cases: Report

Nearly a third of all candidates contesting in the first phase of Bihar assembly elections have declared criminal cases against them, a new report by Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) and Bihar Election Watch revealed on Tuesday.

- Dheer Chawla

The report is based on analysis of the self-sworn affidavits of 1,303 of the total 1,314 candidates in the poll fray across 121 assembly constituencies going to polls in first phase on November 6.

Of the 1,303 candidates analysed, 423 (32%) have reported criminal cases, and 354 (27%) are facing serious charges, including murder, attempt to murder, and crimes against women, according to the report.