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25% of candidates contesting 2nd phase of Bengal elections have declared criminal cases against them

The West Bengal Election Watch and Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) have analysed the self-sworn affidavits of all 171 candidates, who are contesting in the first Phase.

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Kolkata: Twenty five per cent of the candidates contesting in the second phase of West Bengal elections have declared criminal cases against themselves, according to a report by poll rights group Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR).

The West Bengal Election Watch and Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) have analysed the self-sworn affidavits of all 171 candidates, who are contesting in the first Phase.

Out of 171 candidates analyzed, 43 (25%) candidates have declared criminal cases against themselves.

There are 36 (21%) have declared serious criminal cases against themselves.

Among the major parties, 17(57%) out of 30 candidates analysed from BJP, 8(27%) out of 30 candidates analysed from AITC, 3 (11%) out of 28 candidates analysed from SUCI(C), 7 (47%) out of 15 candidates analysed from CPI(M), 2 (22%) out of 9 candidates analysed from INC, 2 (29%) out of 7 candidates analysed from BSP and 1 (50%) out of 2 candidates analysed from CPI have declared criminal cases against themselves in their affidavits.

Among the major parties, 16(53%) out of 30 candidates analysed from BJP, 5(17%) out of 30 candidates analysed from AITC, 2(7%) out of 28 candidates analysed from SUCI(C), 6(40%) out of 15 candidates analysed from CPI(M), 2(22%) out of 9 candidates analysed from INC and 2(29%) out of 7 candidates analysed from BSP have declared serious criminal cases against themselves in their affidavits.

There are 11 candidates have declared cases related to crime against women.

There are 1 candidate namely Manoranjan Patra of CPI(M) from Taldangra constituency has declared case related to murder (IPC Section-302) against himself.

There are 6 candidates have declared cases related to Attempt to murder (IPC Section-307) against themselves.

Out of 30 constituencies, 6(20%) are Red alert constituencies. Red alert constituencies are those where 3 or more contesting candidates have declared criminal cases against themselves.

The directions of the Supreme Court have had no effect on the political parties in selection of candidates in Phase II of the West Bengal Assembly Elections as they have again followed their old practice of giving tickets to around 25% candidates with criminal cases.

All major parties contesting in West Bengal phase II elections have given tickets ranging from 22% to 57% candidates who have declared criminal cases against themselves. The Supreme Court in its directions dated 13th February, 2020 had specifically instructed political parties to give reasons for such selection and why other individuals without criminal antecedents could not be selected as candidates.

As per these mandatory guidelines, the reasons for such selection has to be with reference to qualifications, achievements and merit of the candidate concerned.

During the recent Bihar Assembly elections held in October, 2020 it was observed that political parties gave unfounded and baseless reasons like popularity of the person, does good social work, cases are politically motivated etc. These are not sound and cogent reasons for fielding candidates with tainted backgrounds.

This data clearly shows that political parties have no interest in reforming the electoral system and our democracy will continue to suffer at the hands of lawbreakers who become lawmakers.

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