New Delhi: Nearly 38 per cent of candidates contesting the upcoming Kerala Assembly elections have declared criminal cases, with 23 per cent facing serious charges, according to a report by the Association for Democratic Reforms.
The findings, based on affidavits submitted to the Election Commission of India, highlight a continued trend of political parties fielding candidates with criminal backgrounds across party lines.
Out of 883 candidates in the fray, 324 have declared criminal cases, including 201 facing serious charges such as offences related to violence and other grave allegations.
Criminal cases cut across party lines
The report shows that candidates with criminal records are not limited to any single political party.
Among major parties, 72 out of 85 candidates from the Congress have declared criminal cases. Similarly, 59 out of 93 candidates from the Bharatiya Janata Party and 51 out of 77 candidates from the Communist Party of India (Marxist) have disclosed pending cases in their affidavits.
The data underscores that the issue of candidates with criminal backgrounds remains widespread across the political spectrum.
High number of ‘red alert’ constituencies
The report also flagged a significant number of “red alert” constituencies—seats where three or more candidates have declared criminal cases.
Out of Kerala’s 140 Assembly constituencies, 59 (around 42 per cent) fall under this category, indicating a high concentration of candidates with criminal records in several key electoral battlegrounds.
Such constituencies are often seen as areas where voters have limited choices among candidates with clean backgrounds.
Analysis based on candidate affidavits
The ADR analysed 863 out of 883 candidates, while the remaining candidates could not be assessed due to incomplete or unclear affidavits.
The data reflects information voluntarily disclosed by candidates as part of the nomination process, making it a crucial tool for voter awareness and transparency.
Despite repeated emphasis on disclosure norms, the report notes that the overall trend has shown little improvement compared to previous elections.
Concerns over lack of progress
The findings raise concerns about the effectiveness of judicial and regulatory interventions aimed at curbing criminalisation in politics.
The Supreme Court has, in the past, directed political parties to ensure transparency in candidate selection and to publicly justify the nomination of candidates with criminal cases. However, the report suggests that these directions have not significantly altered ground realities.
Further analysis by ADR and Kerala Election Watch indicates that nearly 70 per cent of sitting MLAs in the state have self-declared criminal cases, reflecting the persistence of the issue even among incumbents.
Polling and counting schedule
The Kerala Assembly elections are scheduled to be held on April 9, with counting set for May 4. The outcome will determine the composition of the next legislative assembly in the state.
Conclusion
The ADR report once again brings attention to the issue of criminalisation in politics, a challenge that continues to persist despite legal and institutional efforts. As voters head to the polls, the data serves as a reminder of the importance of informed decision-making and the need for greater accountability in candidate selection.