As many as 96 (24%) out of the total 394 candidates who are contesting in the 4th phase of the Odisha Assembly Elections 2024 from 42 constituencies have declared criminal cases against themselves, according to an analysis of their self-sworn affidavits by the Odisha Election Watch and Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR).

Similarly, eighty eight candidates have declared serious criminal cases against themselves.

The criteria for serious cases is as follows: 1. Offence for which maximum punishment is of 5 years or more. 2. If an offence is non-bailable. 3. If it is an electoral offence (for eg. IPC 171E or bribery); 4. Offence related to loss to exchequer; 5. Offences that are assault, murder, kidnap, rape related; 6. Offences that are mentioned in Representation of the People Act (Section 8); 7. Offences under the Prevention of Corruption Act; and 8. Crimes against women.

Besides, 17 candidates have declared cases related to attempt to murder (IPC Section 307) against themselves.

Further, 20 candidates have declared cases related to crime against women. Out of 20 candidates, 2 candidates have declared charges related to rape (IPC Section 376).

Further analysis of the self-sworn affidavits by the ADR has revealed that among the major parties, 28(67%) out of 42 candidates analysed from BJP, 2(67%) out of 3 candidates analysed from CPI, 1(33%) out of 3 candidates analysed from CPI(M), 13(31%) out of 42 candidates analysed from BJD and 11 (26%) out of 42 candidates analysed from INC have declared criminal cases against themselves in their affidavits.

Among the major parties,2(67%) out of 3 candidates analysed from CPI, 27(64%) out of 42 candidates analysed from BJP, 1(33%) out of 3 candidates analysed from CPI(M), 9(21%) out of 42 candidates analysed from BJD and 9 (21%) out of 42 candidates analysed from INC have declared serious criminal cases against themselves in their affidavits, the ADR report added.