The Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR), which analyzed the affidavits filed by 615 out of a total of 623 candidates for the first phase of polling in Uttar Pradesh, has found that almost all parties have fielded candidates with criminal background. 

Major parties include 21 out of 28 candidates from Samajwadi Party, 17 out of 29 candidates from Rashtriya Lok Dal, 29 out of 57 candidates from BJP, 21 out of 58 candidates from Congress, 19 out of 56 candidates from BSP and 52 candidates from AAP. Out of these, 8 have given information about the ongoing criminal case in their affidavits.

There are 12 candidates with declared cases related to crime against women.  One of these candidates declared a case related to rape (IPC Section-376) pending against him.

Those against whom there are serious criminal cases include 17 of SP, 15 of RLD, 22 of BJP, 11 of Congress, 16 of BSP and five of AAP.

The Supreme Court’s directions on political parties in the selection of candidates for the first phase of the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections have apparently had no effect.

Releasing the report, the ADR said that all the major parties contesting the first phase of elections have given 15 percent tickets to 75 percent of the candidates who have declared criminal cases against them.

The Supreme Court, in its directions dated February 13, 2020, had specifically directed political parties to give reasons for such selection and asked why persons without criminal history could not be selected as candidates.  Candidates should be selected on the basis of merit and achievements.

During the assembly elections held in the year 2020-21, it was observed that political parties cited the popularity of the individual, good social work and termed the ongoing cases against candidates with tainted background as politically motivated and baseless.