Analysis of Criminal Background, Financial, Education, Gender and other Details of Candidates in Bihar Assembly Elections 2025 - Phase I
The Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) and Bihar Election Watch have analysed the self-sworn affidavits of 1303 out of 1314 candidates, who are contesting in the Bihar Assembly Elections Phase I.
CRIMINAL BACKGROUND
Candidates with Criminal Cases: Out of 1303 candidates analyzed, 423 (32%) candidates have declared criminal cases against themselves.
Candidates with Serious Criminal Cases: 354(27%) have declared serious criminal cases against themselves.
Candidates with cases related to Murder: 33 candidates have declared cases of to murder (IPC Section-302, 303) and (BNS Section-103(1)).
Candidates with cases related to Attempt to Murder: 86 candidates have declared cases of attempt to murder (IPC Section-307) and (BNS Section-109).
Candidates with cases related to Crimes against Women: 42 candidates have declared cases related to crimes against women. Out of 42 candidates, 2 candidates have declared cases related to rape (IPC Section-376).
Party wise Candidates with Criminal Cases: Among the major parties,50 (44%) out of 114 candidates analysed from Jan Suraaj Party, 18 (20%) out of 89 candidates analysed from BSP, 53 (76%) out of 70 candidates analysed from RJD, 22 (39%) out of 57 candidates analysed from JD(U), 31 (65%) out of 48 candidates analysed from BJP, 12 (27%) out of 44 candidates analysed from AAP, 15 (65%) out of 23 candidates analysed from INC, 13 (93%) out of 14 candidates analysed from CPI(ML)(L), 7 (54%) out of 13 candidates analysed from Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), 5 (100%) out of 5 candidates analysed from CPI and 3 (100%) out of 3 candidates analysed from CPI(M) have declared criminal cases against themselves in their affidavits.
Party wise Candidates with Serious Criminal Cases: Among the major parties, 49 (43%) out of 114 candidates analysed from Jan Suraaj Party, 16 (18%) out of 89 candidates analysed from BSP, 42 (60%) out of 70 candidates analysed from RJD, 15 (26%) out of 57 candidates analysed from JD(U), 27 (56%) out of 48 candidates analysed from BJP, 9 (20%) out of 44 candidates analysed from AAP, 12(52%) out of 23 candidates analysed from INC, 9 (64%) out of 14 candidates analysed from CPI(ML)(L), 5 (38%) out of 13 candidates analysed from Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), 4 (80%) out of 5 candidates analysed from CPI and 3 (100%) out of 3 candidates analysed from CPI(M) have declared serious criminal cases against themselves in their affidavits.
Red Alert Constituencies*: 91(75%) out of 121 constituencies are red alert constituencies. Red alert constituencies are those where 3 or more contesting candidates have declared criminal cases against themselves.
FINANCIAL BACKGROUND
Crorepati Candidates: Out of the 1303 candidates, 519 (40%) are crorepatis.
Party wise Crorepati Candidates: The role of money power in our elections is evident from the fact that all major political parties give tickets to wealthy candidates. Among the major parties 81 (71%) out of 114 candidates analysed from Jan Suraaj Party, 68 (97%) out of 70 candidates analysed from RJD, 52 (91%) out of 57 candidates analysed from JD(U), 44 (92%) out of 48 candidates analysed from BJP, 27 (30%) out of 89 candidates analysed from BSP, 18 (78%) out of 23 candidates analysed from INC, 13 (30%) out of 44 candidates analysed from AAP, 10 (77%) out of 13 candidates analysed from Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), 3 (60%) out of 5 candidates analysed from CPI, 2 (67%) out of 3 candidates analysed from CPI(M) and 2 (14%) out of 14 candidates analysed from CPI(ML)(L) have declared assets valued more than Rs 1 crore.
Average assets: The average of assets per candidate contesting in the Bihar Assembly Elections 2025 Phase I is Rs 3.26 Crore.
OTHER BACKGROUND DETAILS
Education details of candidates: 519(40%) candidates have declared their educational qualifications to be between 5th and 12th standard while 651 (50%) candidates have declared having an educational qualification of graduate or above. 19 candidates are Diploma holders. 105 candidates have declared themselves to be just literate and 8 candidates are Illiterates. 1 candidate has not given his educational details in the affidavit.
Age details of candidates: 463(36%) candidates have declared their age to be between 25 to 40 years while 669 (51%) candidates have declared their age to be between 41 to 60 years. There are 169 (13%) candidates who have declared their age to be between 61 to 80 years. There are 2 candidates who have declared age to be above 80 years.
Gender details of candidates: 121(9%) female candidates are contesting in the Bihar assembly election 2025 Phase I.