The Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) after scrutinising nomination forms of the 1,875 candidates standing in the state assembly elections has found that 17% of them (326) have criminal cases registered against them.

The report highlights that 13 percent of the candidates have serious criminal cases registered against them. Thirty-six candidates have disclosed that they face cases of atrocities against women while one of them has a rape case registered against him.

Four candidates have murder charges against them while attempt to murder charges are pending against 34 candidates.

The report was shared in a press conference organised by SR Abhiyan on Saturday. The report notes that of the 1,875 candidates in the fray, 688 are from national parties, 105 from state parties, 348 from registered unrecognized parties, and 734 are independents.

The report mentioned that out of 200 BJP candidates, 61 face criminal charges (31%), while of the 199 Congress candidates, 47 have criminal cases (24%) against them. RLP’s 28 candidates (36%) out of 78 face criminal cases, CPM has 13 candidates facing criminal charges (72%) out of 18 candidates, while 2 of the 17 Bharatiya Tribal Party (BTP) candidates have criminal cases against them.

About 14 percent of the candidates have declared total assets above Rs 5 crore. In terms of candidates with assets worth more than Rs 1 crore, BJP is leading the pack. About 88 percent of BJP candidates have total assets above Rs 1 crore whereas 84% of candidates of the Congress have similar assets.

Candidates with annual income ranging from Rs 2 crore to Rs 5 crore are 200 (10.67%).

When it comes to smaller parties, RLP’s 46% of candidates and AAP’s 34 percent have assets above Rs 1 crore.

The Rajasthan BJP has expelled Jitendra Meena, former state president of the Scheduled Tribe Morcha, for contesting the upcoming state election against the officially declared candidate of the party. The party has fielded Chandramohan Meena against the Congress candidate Laxman Meena in the Bassi constituency. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP President JP Nadda, and Home Minister Amit Shah will be visiting Rajasthan as part of the party's election campaign. The state will go to polls on November 25, with counting of votes on December 3. In the 2018 elections, the Congress formed the government with support from the BSP and Independents.

An FIR has been filed against SP candidate Vairagyanand for allegedly distributing sarees to women voters in Budhni assembly seat. Videos of the distribution went viral on social media. The incident has sparked controversy and raised questions about the ethics of such actions during the electoral process. Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, who is contesting against Mirchi Baba, has not yet commented on the incident. The Congress party has fielded TV actor Vikram Mastal as its candidate from the Budhni seat.

Supporters of BJP candidate Manoj Choudhary in Hatpipliya constituency are wearing masks of their injured leader during the final stage of campaigning. Choudhary had suffered a leg injury a week ago but has continued door-to-door canvassing. His supporters wear masks to extend their support and appeal for votes. Choudhary travels in an open jeep while his supporters distribute masks and wear them during campaigning. The constituency has 207,717 voters, with 238 rural and 14 urban polling booths. Both BJP and Congress have fielded young candidates.