MUMBAI: A sizable 10 per cent candidates contesting the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) polls have criminal cases including murder, kidnapping registered against them, a report said today.

Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR), an organisation engaged in electoral reforms, has analysed the affidavits of 537 candidates out of the total 568, contesting the NMMC polls.

"It has been found that out of affidavits of 537 candidates analysed, 53 (10 per cent) candidates have declared criminal cases against them," a statement by ADR said.

Out these 53 candidates, 40 have declared serious criminal cases including cases of murder, attempt to murder, kidnapping, communal disharmony etc, it said.

"17 out of 101 candidates analysed from NCP, 7 out of 85 candidates from INC, 11 out of 61 candidates from Shiv Sena and 5 out of 42 candidates of BJP have declared criminal cases filed against them in their affidavits," the statement added.

ADR has also stated that the average assets per candidate stood at Rs 2.51 crore.

Voting for NMMC elections will be held on April 22 and counting will take place on the next day. PTI