Of the 958 candidates contesting in the second phase of Chhattisgarh Assembly elections 2023, 100 have criminal cases registered against them. Of these, 56 have serious criminal cases registered against them. These candidates themselves have given this information in the affidavit submitted to the Election Commission. Chhattisgarh Election Watch and Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) on 70 assembly seats in the second phase. Election This figure has been released after analyzing the affidavits of 953 candidates out of 958 who filed nominations to contest. After analysis, ADR has said that 10 percent of the candidates have criminal cases pending against them, six percent have serious criminal cases against them. At the same time, 253 crorepati candidates are contesting elections in the second phase. The ADR report states that the average assets of the candidates contesting in the second and final phase are Rs 2 crore. The candidates whose affidavits have not been analyzed include Anoop Barwa of Bahujan Mukti Party contesting from Dharamjaigarh (ST), Girendra Kumar Khande, independent candidate from Durg Rural, Radheshyam Shori of Ambedkarite Party of India, two independent candidates from Kasdol Assembly. Liladhar Nishad and Preet Lal Kurre are included. ADR has said that their affidavits have either not been scanned properly or have not been uploaded properly. Therefore they were not included in the analysis.
Congress, BJP, JCC fielded the most tainted candidates.
According to the ADR report, Congress, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Janata Congress Chhattisgarh (J) are at the top in terms of giving tickets to tainted candidates. Congress has fielded 19 percent tainted candidates, JCC (J) has given tickets to 18 percent and BJP has given tickets to 17 percent candidates with criminal background. Aam Aadmi Party has fielded 27 percent tainted candidates. Talking about the numbers, Congress gave tickets to 13 out of 70, BJP to 12 out of 70, JCC (J) to 11 out of 62 and Arvind Kejriwal’s party Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) gave tickets to 12 out of 44 such people. Those against whom criminal cases are pending in the court. There are 56 tainted candidates against whom serious criminal cases are pending. In this, maximum 7 candidates are from Congress, 4 from BJP, 4 from JCC (J) and 6 from AAP.
What are serious criminal cases?
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An offense for which there is a maximum punishment of five years or more.
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If the offense is non-bailable.
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Election related crimes (like case registered under section 171E of IPC or bribery case)
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Case of causing damage to government treasury
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Crimes related to assault, murder, kidnapping, rape.
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Cases which are considered crimes under the Representation of the People Act (Section 8).
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Any offense under the Prevention of Corruption Act.
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Crimes against women.
Voting on 70 assembly seats on November 17
Let us tell you that this time assembly elections are being conducted in two phases in Chhattisgarh. Elections are held on 90 assembly seats in the state. In the first phase, voting was completed on all 12 seats of Bastar division as well as 20 assembly seats on November 7. In the first phase, 78 percent voters used their franchise. In the second phase, elections will be held on the remaining 70 assembly seats on November 17. Counting of votes will be conducted simultaneously on all 90 assembly seats on December 3. On that day it will be decided whose government will be formed for the next five years. Will Congress continue to be in power or will BJP return to power once again.