Analysis of Criminal Background, Financial, Education, Gender and other Details of Candidates and Analysis of Assets Comparison of Re-Contesting MLAs in the Bihar Assembly Election 2025 Phase 1 and 2
The Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) and Bihar Election Watch have analysed the self-sworn affidavits of 2600 out of 2616 candidates, who are contesting in the Bihar 2025 Assembly Elections. Out of 2616 contesting candidates, 431 are from National parties, 351 are from State parties, 908 are from registered unrecognized parties and 926 candidates are contesting Independently.
CRIMINAL BACKGROUND
Candidates with Criminal Cases: Out of 2600 candidates analyzed, in Bihar Assembly elections 2025, 838 (32%) candidates have declared criminal cases against themselves. In 2020 Bihar Assembly Elections, out of 3722 candidates analysed, 1201 (32%) had declared criminal cases against themselves.
Candidates with Serious Criminal Cases: 695 (27%) have declared serious criminal cases. In 2020 Bihar Assembly Elections, 915 (25%) candidates had declared serious criminal cases against themselves.
Party wise Candidates with Criminal Cases: Among the major parties,108 (47%) out of 231 candidates analysed from Jan Suraaj Party, 35 (19%) out of 180 candidates analysed from BSP, 91 (65%) out of 140 candidates analysed from RJD, 61 (60%) out of 101 candidates analysed from BJP, 36 (36%) out of 101 candidates analysed from JD (U), 24 (29) out of 83 candidates analysed from AAP, 40 (67%) out of 60 candidates analysed from INC, 16 (57%) out of 28 candidates analysed from Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), 18(90%) out of 20 candidates analysed from CPI (ML) (L), 7 (78%) out of 9 candidates analysed from CPI and 4 (100%)out of 4 candidates analysed from CPI(M) have declared criminal cases against themselves in their affidavits.
Party wise Candidates with Serious Criminal Cases: Among the major parties, 100 (43%) out of 231 candidates analysed from Jan Suraaj Party, 28 (16%) out of 180 candidates analysed from BSP, 69 (49%) out of 140 candidates analysed from RJD, 49 (49%) out of 101 candidates analysed from BJP, 26 (26%) out of 101 candidates analysed from JD (U), 21 (25%) out of 83 candidates analysed from AAP, 32 (53%) out of 60 candidates analysed from INC, 14 (50%) out of 28 candidates analysed from Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), 13 (65%) out of 20 candidates analysed from CPI (ML)(L), 6 (67%) out of 9 candidates analysed from CPI and 4 (100%) out of 4 candidates analysed from CPI(M) have declared serious criminal cases against themselves in their affidavits.
Candidates with cases related to Crimes against Women: 94 candidates have declared cases related to crimes against women. Out of 94 candidates, 5 candidates have declared cases related to rape (IPC Section- 375 and 376).
Candidates with cases related to Murder: 52 candidates have declared cases of to murder (IPC Section-302, 303) and (BNS Section-103(1)).
Candidates with cases related to Attempt to Murder: 165 candidates have declared cases of attempt to murder (IPC Section-307) and (BNS Section-109).
Red Alert Constituencies*: 164 (67%) out of 243 constituencies are red alert constituencies. Red alert constituencies are those where 3 or more contesting candidates have declared criminal cases against themselves. 217 (89%) constituencies in the Bihar assembly elections 2020 had 3 or more candidates with declared criminal cases.
FINANCIAL BACKGROUND
Crorepati Candidates: Out of the 2600 candidates, 1081 (42%) are crorepatis. In 2020 Bihar Assembly Elections, out of 3722 candidates, 1231 (33%) 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 167 (72%) out of 231 candidates analysed from Jan Suraaj Party, 127 (91%) out of 140 candidates analysed from RJD, 88 (87%) out of 101 candidates analysed from BJP, 92 (91%) out of 101 candidates analysed from JD (U), 49 (82%) out of 60 candidates analysed from INC, 57 (32%) out of 180 candidates analysed from BSP, 25 (89%) out of 28 candidates analysed from Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), 26 (31%) out of 39 candidates analysed from AAP, 5 (25%) out of 20 candidates analysed from CPI (ML)(L), 5 (56%) out of 9 candidates analysed from CPI and 3 (75%) out of 4 candidates analysed from CPI(M) have declared assets valued more than Rs 1 crore.
Average assets: The average of assets per candidate contesting in the Bihar Assembly Elections 2025 is Rs 3.35 Crore. In 2020 Bihar Assembly Elections, average assets per candidate for 3722 Candidates was Rs. 1.72 crore.
OTHER BACKGROUND DETAILS
Education details of candidates: 1047 (40%) candidates have declared their educational qualifications to be between 5th and 12th standard while 1278 (49%) candidates have declared having an educational qualification of graduate or above. 34 candidates are Diploma holders. 222 candidates have declared themselves to be just literate and 17 candidates are Illiterates. 2 candidates have not given their educational details in the affidavit.
Age details of candidates: 908 (35%) candidates have declared their age to be between 25 to 40 years while 1349 (52%) candidates have declared their age to be between 41 to 60 years. There are 339 (13%) candidates who have declared their age to be between 61 to 80 years. There are 4 candidates who have declared their age to be above 80 years.
Gender details of candidates: 254 (10%) female candidates are contesting in the Bihar assembly election 2025. In 2020 Bihar Assembly Elections, 371 (10%) out of 3722 candidates analysed were women.