Report analyses self-sworn affidavits of all 1,875 candidates in Raj polls

A report published on Saturday revealed that of 1,875 nominees for the upcoming Rajasthan Assembly elections, a total of 326 candidates have declared criminal cases against themselves, and of them, 61 are from the BJP.

A report has been prepared on this by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) and Rajasthan Election Watch. The report analysed the self-sworn affidavits of all 1,875 candidates.

The report stated that out of 1,875 candidates analysed, 688 are from national parties, 105 are from state parties, 348 are from registered unrecognized parties and 734 candidates are contesting as Independents.

“Out of the 1,875 candidates analysed in Rajasthan Assembly elections 2023, 326 (17 per cent) candidates have declared criminal cases against themselves. In 2018 Rajasthan Assembly Elections, out of 2,188 candidates analysed, 320 (15 per cent) had declared criminal cases against themselves,” the report said.

It said that 236 candidates (13 per cent) have declared serious criminal cases while in 2018 polls, 195 (9 per cent) candidates had declared serious criminal cases against themselves.

The report said: “Among the major parties, 61 (31 per cent) out of 200 candidates analysed from BJP, 47 (24 per cent) out of 199 candidates analysed from Congress, 12 (6 per cent) out of 185 candidates analysed from BSP, 18 (21 per cent) out of 86 candidates analysed from AAP, 28 (36 per cent) out of 78 candidates analysed from Rashtriya Loktantrik Party, 13 (72 per cent) out of 18 candidates analysed from CPI-M and two (12 per cent) out of 17 candidates analysed from Bhartiya Tribal Party have declared criminal cases against themselves in their affidavits.”IANS