The term of the Nagaland assembly ends on March 13 2023 and elections would be conducted before that. The key issues in Nagaland remain economic challenges, insurgency and border disputes
In the coming elections in Nagaland, 7 of the 184 candidates analysed have declared pending criminal cases against themselves.
The Nagaland Election Watch and Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) have analysed the self-sworn affidavits of all 184 candidates who are contesting in the Nagaland Assembly Elections 2023. Out of 184 candidates analysed, 68 are from National parties, 72 are from State parties, 25 are from registered unrecognized parties and 19 candidates are contesting independently.
Candidates with Criminal Cases: Out of 184 candidates analyzed, 7(4%) candidates have declared criminal cases against themselves. In 2018 Nagaland Assembly Elections, out of 193 candidates analysed, 3(2%) had declared criminal cases against themselves.
Candidates with Serious Criminal Cases: 4(2%) have declared serious criminal cases against themselves. In 2018 Nagaland Assembly Elections, 3(2%) candidates had declared serious criminal cases against themselves.
Party wise Candidates with Criminal Cases: Among the major parties, 2(5%) out of 40 candidates analysed from NDPP, 1(5%) out of 20 candidates analysed from BJP, 1(5%) out of 22 candidates analysed from NPF and 1 (4%) out of 23 candidates analysed from INC have declared criminal cases against themselves in their affidavits.
Party wise Candidates with Serious Criminal Cases: Among the major parties,1(3%) out of 40 candidates analysed from NDPP, 1(5%) out of 20 candidates analysed from BJP and 1 (5%) out of 22 candidates analysed from NPF have declared serious criminal cases against themselves in their affidavits.
Candidates with declared cases related to murder: 2 candidates have declared cases related to murder (IPC Section-302) against themselves.
Candidates with declared cases related to attempt to murder: 1 candidate has declared a case related to Attempt to murder (IPC Section-307) against himself.
Financial:
Crorepati Candidates: Out of the 184 candidates, 116(63%) are crorepatis. In the 2018 Nagaland Assembly Elections, out of 193 candidates, 114 (59%) were crorepatis.
Party wise Crorepati Candidates: The role of money power in our elections is evident from the fact that all major political parties give tickets to wealthy candidates. Among the major parties 18(90%) out of 20 candidates analysed from BJP, 34(85%) out of 40 candidates analysed from NDPP, 13(59%) out of 22 candidates analysed from NPF, 4(57%) out of 7 candidates analysed from JD(U) and 6(26%) out of 23 candidates analysed from INC have declared assets valued more than Rs 1 crore.
Average assets: The average of assets per candidate contesting in the Nagaland Assembly Elections 2023 is Rs 5.13 Crores. In 2018 Nagaland Assembly Elections, average assets per candidate for 193 candidates was Rs.3.76 Crores.
Party wise average assets: Among major parties, the average assets per candidate for 40 NDPP candidates analysed is Rs. 7.47 Crores, 23 INC candidates analysed is Rs 65.98 Lakhs, 22 NPF candidates analysed is Rs 2.32 Crores, 20 BJP candidates analysed is Rs 6.58 Crores and 7 JD(U) candidates have average assets worth Rs.5.14 Crores.
Other details:
Age details of candidates: 19(10%) candidates have declared their age to be between 25 to 40 years while 112(61%) candidates have declared their age to be between 41 to 60 years. There are 51(28%) candidates who have declared their age to be between 61 to 80 years. 2 candidates have declared their age above 80 years.
Gender details of candidates: 4(2%) female candidates are contesting in the Nagaland assembly election 2023. In 2018 Nagaland Assembly Elections, 5(3%) out of 193 candidates analysed were women.
About Nagaland:
The term of the current legislative assembly in Nagaland ends on March 13. There are sixty seats up for grabs and 31 would be the magic number.
The last elections were held in 2018 and the Nationalist Democratic Party (NDDP) formed the government in alliance with the BJP. The other parties in the fray this time are the Congress and Naga People's Front (NPP).
Some of the major issues are insurgency, border disputes and economic challenges. The outcome of the election will also have an impact on the peace process with various Naga insurgent groups.
