The analysis was done by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) and MPEW.

Despite serious concerns and Supreme Court directives, political parties continue to field candidates with criminal cases with impunity in elections across the country. In Madhya Pradesh, which goes to polls on November 17, as high as 53 per cent of Congress candidates have declared criminal cases against themselves in their poll affidavits, while 28 per cent of BJP candidates have declared such cases against themselves.

Significantly, 27 per cent of Congress and 10 per cent of BJP candidates have declared serious criminal cases against themselves, a joint analysis of the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) and Madhya Pradesh Election Watch (MPEW), shows.

Also, the major parties have taken care to field wealthy candidates, highlighting the role of money power in the crucial polls.

Among the major parties, 200 (87 per cent) of 230 candidates analysed from BJP and 196 (85 per cent) of 230 candidates analysed from Congress have assets over Rs 1 crore (crorepatis). Similarly, 39 (59 per cent) of 66 candidates analysed from Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and 54 (30 per cent) of 181 candidates analysed from Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) have declared assets valued at more than Rs 1 crore.

Of the total 2,534 candidates analysed, 727 (29 per cent) are crorepatis. In 2018 polls, of the 2,716 candidates, 656 (24 per cent) were crorepatis.

The ADR and MPEW have analysed the self-sworn affidavits of all the 2,534 candidates, who are contesting in the Madhya Pradesh 2023 Assembly Elections. Of the 2,534 candidates analysed, 711 are from national parties, 103 are from state parties, 553 are from registered unrecognised parties and 1,167 candidates are contesting independently.

Candidates with criminal cases higher compared to 2018

Overall, of the 2,534 candidates analysed, 472 (19 per cent) candidates have declared criminal cases against themselves, which is higher than in 2018 Madhya Pradesh Assembly Elections, when 464 (17 per cent) of 2,716 candidates analysed had declared criminal cases against themselves.

In all, 291 (11 per cent) of all candidates have declared serious criminal cases, which is the same as in 2018 elections percentage wise. Among other parties, 18 (27 per cent) of 66 candidates from AAP and 16 (9 per cent) of 181 candidates analysed from BSP have declared serious criminal cases.

24 candidates face cases related to crime against women

In all, 24 candidates have declared cases related to crime against women. Of these, one candidate has declared case related to rape (IPC Section-376).

Also, 10 candidates have declared cases related to murder (IPC Section-302) against themselves and 17 candidates have declared cases related to Attempt to murder (IPC Section-307).

‘Red Alert Constituencies’

As many as 79 (34 per cent) of 230 constituencies have been highlighted as ‘red alert constituencies’ by the ADR and MPEW, as, in these constituencies, three or more contesting candidates have declared criminal cases against themselves. Comparatively, in 2018 polls, 76 (33 per cent) constituencies in Madhya Pradesh were in the ‘red alert’ category.

“The Supreme Court in its directions of February 13, 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,” the ADR and MPEW said in a statement released with the analysis.

“As per these mandatory guidelines, the reasons for such selection have to be with reference to qualifications, achievements and merit of the candidate concerned. During the recent four state assembly elections held in 2023, 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.”