In the 2021 West Bengal Assembly polls, out of 2,130 candidates analysed, 528 had declared criminal cases against themselves, while 431 candidates had declared serious criminal cases against themselves
This time in the West Bengal Assembly polls, there are 129 “red alert” constituencies — seats where three or more contesting candidates have declared criminal cases — a 17% rise from the 2021 State elections, according to an ADR report.
The NGO, Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR), which analysed 2,920 candidates in fray in the 2026 Assembly polls, said a little less than a quarter of candidates, 683 (23%), in fray have declared criminal cases against themselves, while 589 (20%) have declared serious criminal cases.
The Election Commission has planned to ensure 100% voting in all the Assembly constituencies and accordingly undertook voter awareness campaigns.
The work to shift the EVMs to the polling centres is in full swing. More than 1.40 lakh police personnel have been deployed for poll duty across Tamil Nadu and arrangements have also been made to provide additional security forces at sensitive polling stations. Outsiders who have campaigned in the districts have been told to return to their home constituencies.
Further, the Election Commission of India commenced the second phase of International Election Visitors’ Programme (IEVP), 2026 for the ongoing general elections to the Legislative Assembly of Tamil Nadu. The participants will visit the dispatch and distribution centres and other facilities including the District Control Rooms and the Media Monitoring Centres. They will also witness the actual polling on the morning of April 23, the ECI said.
Meanwhile, in West Bengal, “the Election Commission issued booth-wise lists of voters whose cases were disposed of by tribunals, clearing them to participate in the first phase of the West Bengal elections,” a senior official said on Wednesday (April 22, 2026).
The EC published two separate lists on its website - one of voters whose names have been included following tribunal orders and another of those who remain excluded.