Manipur elections 2022: 53% candidates crorepatis, 21% face criminal cases, says ADR report
Manipur Assembly election 2022: Over half the candidates contesting the Manipur elections are crorepatis and at least 21 percent are facing criminal charges filed against them, according to a new report from the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR).
The Manipur Election Watch and ADR have analysed the self-sworn affidavits of all 173 candidates, who are contesting in the first phase of Manipur polls. The report was released on Friday.
At least 91 (53 percent) candidates are crorepatis, while the average worth of assets per candidate is estimated to be Rs 2.51 crore.
The report further stated, “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, 21 of the 27 candidates, i.e 78 percent, from the National People’s Party (NPP), 27 (71%) of the total 38 candidates from BJP, 18 (51%) of the 35 candidates from Congress and 14 (50%) of the 28 candidates from the JD (U) have declared assets valued at over Rs 1 crore.
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Meanwhile, the average worth of NPP candidates is Rs 3.48 crore, BJP candidates are Rs 2.84 crore, JD (U) candidates is Rs 2.67 crore and Congress candidates are Rs 1.93 crore.
According to the report, 37 (21%) of the 173 candidates evaluated have registered criminal charges against themselves, with 27 (16%) having serious cases.
In their affidavits, at least 11 (29%) BJP candidates, seven (25%) JD(U) candidates, eight (23%) Congress candidates, and three (11%) NPP candidates declared criminal cases against themselves. In addition, affidavits from 10 BJP members, five JD (U) representatives, four Congress members, and two NPP members have declared serious criminal cases against themselves.
Two candidates have declared that they have been involved in crimes against women, and an equal number have stated that they have cases related to murder (IPC Section 302) against themselves.
In the first round of polling, only 9% (15) of women candidates are in the race.
The voting for the first phase of Manipur assembly elections across 38 constituencies will take place on February 28. The second face is scheduled for March 3 and results will be declared on March 10.
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-PTC News
