NEW DELHI: The seventh and final phase of the Indian Lok Sabha elections will decide the fate of 904 candidates contesting in 57 constituencies across seven states and the union territory of Chandigarh. The constituencies include 13 seats each in Uttar Pradesh and Punjab, followed by nine in West Bengal, eight in Bihar, six in Odisha, four in Himachal Pradesh, three in Jharkhand and one in Chandigarh. Additionally, 42 seats will go to polls in Odisha. Counting of votes will take place on June 4.
According to a report by the Association for Democratic Reforms, of the 904 shortlisted candidates, 199 candidates (22%) have criminal cases against them. Of these, 151 candidates (17%) have serious criminal cases against them. In addition, 13 candidates have been convicted of crimes.
In terms of specific criminal charges, four candidates have filed charges related to murder under Section 302 of the Indian Penal Code. In addition, 27 candidates have filed charges related to attempt to murder under Section 307 of the Indian Penal Code. Crimes against women are also a major concern, with 13 candidates filing such charges, two of whom are accused of rape. Hate speech cases have been filed by 25 candidates.
Looking at the data by political party, seven out of nine All India Congress (AITC) candidates and seven out of nine Samajwadi Party (SP) candidates have criminal cases filed, accounting for 78% of the parties. Five out of eight (63%) Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI(M)) candidates have criminal cases filed, while eight out of 13 (62%) Shiromani Akali Party (SAD) candidates have criminal cases filed.
In the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), 23 of 51 candidates (45%) have criminal cases publicly announced, as do 12 of 31 candidates (39%) of the Indian National Congress (INC). In the AAP, five of 13 candidates (39%) have criminal cases publicly announced. In the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJD), two of six candidates (33%), in the Communist Party of India (CPI), two of seven candidates (29%) and in the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), 13 of 56 candidates (23%) have criminal cases publicly announced.
According to a report by the Association for Democratic Reforms, of the 904 shortlisted candidates, 199 candidates (22%) have criminal cases against them. Of these, 151 candidates (17%) have serious criminal cases against them. In addition, 13 candidates have been convicted of crimes.
In terms of specific criminal charges, four candidates have filed charges related to murder under Section 302 of the Indian Penal Code. In addition, 27 candidates have filed charges related to attempt to murder under Section 307 of the Indian Penal Code. Crimes against women are also a major concern, with 13 candidates filing such charges, two of whom are accused of rape. Hate speech cases have been filed by 25 candidates.
Looking at the data by political party, seven out of nine All India Congress (AITC) candidates and seven out of nine Samajwadi Party (SP) candidates have criminal cases filed, accounting for 78% of the parties. Five out of eight (63%) Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI(M)) candidates have criminal cases filed, while eight out of 13 (62%) Shiromani Akali Party (SAD) candidates have criminal cases filed.
In the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), 23 of 51 candidates (45%) have criminal cases publicly announced, as do 12 of 31 candidates (39%) of the Indian National Congress (INC). In the AAP, five of 13 candidates (39%) have criminal cases publicly announced. In the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJD), two of six candidates (33%), in the Communist Party of India (CPI), two of seven candidates (29%) and in the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), 13 of 56 candidates (23%) have criminal cases publicly announced.
