Candidates with Criminal Cases: Out of the 2920 candidates analysed in West Bengal Assembly elections 2026, 683 (23%) candidates have declared criminal cases against themselves. In 2021 West Bengal Assembly Elections, out of 2130 candidates analysed, 528 (25%) had declared criminal cases against themselves.

Candidates with Serious Criminal Cases: 589 (20%) have declared serious criminal cases. In 2021 West Bengal Assembly Elections, 431 (20%) candidates had declared serious criminal cases against themselves.

Party wise Candidates with Criminal Cases: Among the major parties,208 (71%) out of 293 candidates analysed from BJP, 76 (26%) out of 293 candidates analysed from INC, 112 (39%) out of 290 candidates analysed from AITC, 94 (47%) out of 198 candidates analysed from CPI(M), 8 (35%) out of 23 candidates analysed from All India Forward Bloc and 3 (18%) out of 17 candidates analysed from CPI have declared criminal cases against themselves in their affidavits.

Party wise Candidates with Serious Criminal Cases: Among the major parties,188 (64%) out of 293 candidates analysed from BJP, 63 (22%) out of 293 candidates analysed from INC, 90 (31%) out of 290 candidates analysed from AITC, 78 (39%) out of 198 candidates analysed from CPI(M), 5 (22%) out of 23 candidates analysed from All India Forward Bloc and 2 (12%) out of 17 candidates analysed from CPI have declared serious criminal cases against themselves in their affidavits.

Candidates with declared cases related to Crimes against Women: 192 candidates have declared cases related to crimes against women. Out of 192 candidates, 8 candidates have declared cases related to rape (IPC Section-376) and person committing rape repeatedly on the same woman (IPC Section- 376(2)(n)).

Candidates with declared cases related to murder: 35 candidates have declared cases of to murder (IPC Section-302).

Candidates with declared cases related to attempt to murder: 185 candidates have declared cases of attempt to murder (IPC Section-307) and (BNS Section-109).

Red Alert Constituencies*: 129 (44%) out of 294 constituencies are red alert constituencies. Red alert constituencies are those where 3 or more contesting candidates have declared criminal cases against themselves. 78 (27%) constituencies in the West Bengal assembly elections 2021 had 3 or more candidates with declared criminal cases.

The directions of the Supreme Court have had no effect on the political parties in selection of candidates in the West Bengal Assembly Elections 2026 as they have again followed their old practice of giving tickets to around 23% candidates with criminal cases. All major parties contesting in West Bengal Elections have given tickets from 18 % to 71 % candidates who have declared criminal cases against themselves. The Supreme Court in its directions dated 13th February, 2020 had specifically instructed political parties to give reasons for such selection and why other individuals without criminal antecedents could not be selected as candidates. As per these mandatory guidelines, the reasons for such selection has to be with reference to qualifications, achievements and merit of the candidate concerned. During the recent Assembly elections held in february 2025, it was observed that political parties gave unfounded and baseless reasons like popularity of the person, does good social work, cases are politically motivated etc. These are not sound and cogent reasons for fielding candidates with tainted backgrounds. This data clearly shows that political parties have no interest in reforming the electoral system and our democracy will continue to suffer at the hands of lawbreakers who become lawmakers.

Crorepati Candidates: Out of the 2920 candidates analysed, 629 (22%) are crorepatis. In 2021 West Bengal Assembly Elections, out of 2130 candidates, 394 (18%) were crorepatis.

Party wise Crorepati Candidates:The role of money power in our elections is evident from the fact that all major political parties give tickets to wealthy candidates. Among the major parties 209 (72%) out of 290 candidates analysed from AITC, 143 (49%) out of 293 candidates analysed from BJP, 86 (29%) out of 293 candidates analysed from INC, 57(29%) out of 198 candidates analysed from CPI(M), 4 (17%) out of 23 candidates analysed from All India Forward Bloc and 4 (24%) out of 17 candidates analysed from CPI have declared assets valued more than Rs 1 crore.

Average assets: The average of assets per candidate contesting in the West Bengal Assembly Elections 2026 is Rs 1.27 Crore. In 2021 West Bengal Assembly Elections, average assets per candidate for 2130 Candidates was Rs. 91.69 Lakhs.

Party wise average assets: Among major parties, the average assets per candidate for 293 BJP candidates analysed is Rs. 2.91 Crores, 293 INC candidates analysed is Rs 1.56 Crores, 290 AITC candidates have average assets of Rs 5.39 Crores, 198 CPI(M) candidates have average assets of Rs 1.07 Crores, 23 All India Forward Bloc candidates have average assets of Rs 79.48 Lakhs and 17 CPI candidates have average assets worth Rs. 78.44 Lakhs.

Education details of candidates: 1354 (46%) candidates have declared their educational qualifications to be between 5th and 12th standard while 1419 (49%) candidates have declared having an educational qualification of graduate or above. 49 candidates are Diploma holders. 68 candidates have declared themselves to be just literate and 30 candidates are Illiterates.

Age details of candidates: 854(29%) candidates have declared their age to be between 25 to 40 years while 1567 (54%) candidates have declared their age to be between 41 to 60 years. There are 495 (17%) candidates who have declared their age to be between 61 to 80 years. There are 4 candidates who have declared their age to be above 80 years.

Gender details of candidates: 385 (13%) female candidates are contesting in the West Bengal Assembly Elections 2026. In 2021 West Bengal Assembly Elections, 240 (11%) out of 2130 candidates analysed were women.