According to the analyses of the declared educational details of the 173 candidates by Manipur Election Watch and Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR), an overwhelming 77% of them have declared themselves as graduate or above. Again, 21% of the total candidates have declared their educational qualifications to be between 5th and 12th standard.
While 23 candidates have declared their age to be between 25 and 40 years, 115 have declared their age to be between 41 and 60 years and 33 have declared their age to be between 61 and 80 years. Two candidates have declared that they are more than 80 years old. Just 9% (15) of the candidates for Phase 1 are female candidates.
According to the report, Independent candidate in Keisamthong constituency Sapam Nishikant Singh, who has declared total assets worth over Rs 29 crore, tops the list of crorepati candidates. NCP candidate Ningthoujam Popilal Singh, who is contesting from Sekmai constituency, has declared zero assets in his self-sworn affidavit.
Among the major parties, the highest number of candidates (10) who have declared serious criminal cases against themselves are from BJP, which has fielded its candidates in all 38 seats. Besides, five such candidates are from JD(U), four from Congress and two from NPP.
The analyses report says the two candidates who have declared murder-related cases are MI Khan, who is NCP’s candidate in Keirao seat, and Sehpu Haokip, an Independent who is contesting in Henglep constituency. No charges have been framed yet against both candidates.
In addition, 37 other candidates have declared criminal cases (non-serious) against them, the analyses report said.
According to the report, the highest number of candidates who have declared criminals cases against themselves are again from BJP (11). Seven such candidates are from JD(U), eight from INC and three from NPP.
Among these constituencies up for grabs in the first phase, three constituencies where three or more contesting candidates have declared criminal cases against themselves are tagged as “red alert constituencies”.
This category of constituencies are Keirao where candidates of four parties — BJP, INC, JD(U) and NCP — have declared criminal cases against themselves, Lamlai where there are three such candidates from INC, Republican Party of India (Athawale) and an Independent and Andro where candidates of BJP, Congress and NPP have declared criminal cases against themselves, according to the analyses report.