In the third phase Assembly election to be held on May 20, two candidates in the fray have declared themselves as illiterate.
According to a report released by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) and Odisha Election Watch, Sanjeet Kumar Babnga contesting the poll independently and Raj Kishore Munda from Keonjhar are illiterate.
The report said that 155 candidates have declared their educational qualifications to be between 5th and 12th standard while 210 candidates are graduates or above. Besides, 12 candidates are diploma holders.
Mahesh Sarma from Sambalpur and BSP nominee Dullabha Nayak from Patana has not passed 5th class. 31 candidates have passed eight calls while 49 are matriculated.
Out of a total 383, 44 candidates are women. One octogenarian (above 80 years old) is contesting the poll while 129 candidates are between 41 to 50 years old.
As many as 126 candidates in fray are ‘crorepati’, with BJD candidate from Champua segment Sanatan Mahakud the richest with Rs 227.67 crore assets. Independent nominee from Ghasipura Soumya Ranjan Patnaik is the second richest with Rs 122.86 crore assets.