Ahead of the assembly polls in Gujarat, an analysis report on electoral processes reveal that as many as 972 of 6,043 candidates, who have contested parliamentary and state elections in Gujarat since 2004, faced criminal cases.

The Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) and the Gujarat Election Watch (GEW) have analysed the self-attested affidavits of 6043 candidates who have contested either Parliamentary or State assembly elections since 2004. The information is based on the affidavits submitted by the candidates prior to 2007, 2012 and 2017 Gujarat Assembly Elections and 2004, 2009, 2014 and 2019 Gujarat Lok Sabha Elections and Bye elections to Gujarat Assembly and Lok Sabha.

The data revealed that a total of 972 (16%) out of these 6043 candidates have declared criminal cases against themselves.

Candidates with serious criminal cases are 511 (8%) and MPs/MLAs with criminal cases are 685 since 2004, 191 or 28% have declared criminal cases against themselves and 109 or 16% have serious criminal cases. Candidates with serious criminal cases: 511 (8%) out of the 6043 candidates analyzed have declared serious criminal cases against themselves. MPs/MLAs with criminal cases: Out of 685 MPs/MLAs analyzed since 2004, 191 or 28% have declared criminal cases against themselves and 109 or 16% have serious criminal cases, said the press statement from ADR.

The data further revealed that the average assets of 972 candidates with declared criminal cases is Rs 3.81 crores and for 511 candidates with declared serious criminal cases has been Rs 5.34 crores while the average assets of 191 MPs/MLAs (analyzed since 2004) with declared criminal cases is Rs.8.96 crores and for 109 MPs/MLAs with declared serious criminal cases has been Rs 11.42 crores.

Gujarat will vote in two phases on December 1 and December 5, and the counting of votes will be taken up on December 8.