683 candidates in West Bengal polls have declared criminal cases against themselves: ADR

The Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) and West Bengal Election Watch have analysed the self-sworn affidavits of 2920 out of 2926 candidates, who are contesting in the West Bengal 2026 Assembly Elections. Out of 2926 contesting candidates, 935 are from National parties, 383 are from State parties, 587 are from registered unrecognized parties and 1021 candidates are contesting Independently.

Out of the 2920 candidates analysed in West Bengal Assembly elections 2026, 683(23%) candidates have declared criminal cases against themselves. In 2021 West Bengal Assembly Elections, out of 2130 candidates analysed, 528(25%) had declared criminal cases against themselves.

589(20%) have declared serious criminal cases. In 2021 West Bengal Assembly Elections, 431 (20%) candidates had declared serious criminal cases against themselves.

Party wise Candidates with Criminal Cases: Among the major parties,208(71%) out of 293 candidates analysed from BJP, 76(26%) out of 293 candidates analysed from INC, 112 (39%) out of 290 candidates analysed from AITC, 94 (47%) out of 198 candidates analysed from CPI(M), 8(35%) out of 23 candidates analysed from All India Forward Bloc and 3 (18%) out of 17 candidates analysed from CPI have declared criminal cases against themselves in their affidavits, the ADR report said.  

Party wise Candidates with Serious Criminal Cases: Among the major parties,188(64%) out of 293 candidates analysed from BJP, 63(22%) out of 293 candidates analysed from INC, 90 (31%) out of 290 candidates analysed from AITC, 78 (39%) out of 198 candidates analysed from CPI(M), 5(22%) out of 23 candidates analysed from All India Forward Bloc and 2 (12%) out of 17 candidates analysed from CPI have declared serious criminal cases against themselves in their affidavits, the ADR report pointed out.

Candidates with declared cases related to crime against women: 192 candidates have declared cases related to crimes against women. Out of 192 candidates, 8 candidates have declared cases related to rape (IPC Section-376) and person committing rape repeatedly on the same woman (IPC Section- 376(2)(n)).

35 candidates have declared cases of to murder (IPC Section-302).

185 candidates have declared cases of attempt to murder (IPC Section-307) and (BNS Section-109), the report added.