Only 48 per cent of the candidates contesting the 2019 Lok Sabha polls have declared graduation and above educational qualifications, according to the National Election Watch and the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR).

The ADR analysed the self-sworn affidavits of 7,928 of the 8,049 Lok Sabha candidates. "121 candidates were not analysed due to unavailability of their clear and complete affidavits on the EC website at the time of making this report," the ADR said.

Of the 7,928 candidates, 3,808 (48 per cent) have declared graduation and above educational qualifications.

"While 3,477 (44 per cent) candidates have declared their educational qualifications between Class V and Class XII pass, 3,808 (48 per cent), graduation and above," the ADR said. While 253 candidates have declared themselves to be just literate, 163 candidates are illiterate.

In terms of age, 62 per cent candidates were aged between 25 years and 50 years. "While 4,941 (62 per cent) candidates have declared their age to be between 25 years and 50 years, 2,932 (37 per cent) candidates are aged between 51 years and 80 years," the ADR said.

While 18 candidates were aged above 80 years, 35 candidates did not disclose their age and two candidates were below 25 years, the ADR said.