New Delhi: As many as 103 or 17 per cent of the 623 candidates contesting the third-stage Uttar Pradesh assembly elections face a Serious criminal cases such as rape and murder. Affidavit of opinion polls. ADR finds 135 (22%) candidates have brought criminal charges against themselves
In the third phase on Feb. 20, 26 of the 59 constituencies that voted in 16 districts (44%) were on “red alert”, with three or more candidates facing criminal cases. Two ADR candidates face rape and as many murder charges.
Among the major parties, 21 out of 58 Samajwadi Party (SP) (36%), 20 out of 55 Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) nominees (36%), 59 out of 59 Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) 18 (31%), 10 (18%) of 56 MPs and 11 (22%) of 49 Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) face serious criminal cases. Thirty (52%) SP, 25 (46%) BJP, 23 (39%) BSP, 20 (36%) Congressional and 11 (22%) AAP candidates have criminal cases pending against them.
In February 2020, the Supreme Court directed political parties to justify offering tickets to candidates with criminal backgrounds, and why others without criminal backgrounds could not be selected as candidates.
The ADR report noted that the data it collected showed political parties had no interest in reforming the electoral system. “…Our democracy will continue to suffer at the hands of lawbreakers who become lawmakers.”
Complete News Source : Hindustan Times
