The Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) and Odisha Election Watch (OEW) have analysed the self-sworn affidavits of 1283 out of 1285 candidates, who are contesting in the Odisha 2024 Assembly Elections Phase I to IV.

Out of 1285 contesting candidates, 428 are from National parties, 207 are from state parties, 223 are from registered unrecognized parties and 425 candidates are contesting independently.

Odisha Election Watch and ADR have not analysed 2 candidates as their affidavits were either badly scanned or complete affidavits were not uploaded on the ECI website. Out of the 1283 candidates analysed in Odisha Assembly elections 2024, 348(27%) candidates have declared criminal cases against themselves.

In 2019 Odisha Assembly Elections, out of 1121 candidates analysed, 332(30%) had declared criminal cases against themselves.

It was found that 292(23%) have declared serious criminal cases.

In 2019 Odisha Assembly Elections, 257 (23%) candidates had declared serious criminal cases against themselves.

Among the major parties,100(68%) out of 147 candidates analysed from BJP, 60(41%) out of 145 candidates analysed from INC, 46 (31%) out of 147 candidates analysed from BJD and 7 (17%) out of 41 candidates analysed from AAP have declared criminal cases against themselves in their affidavits.

Among the major parties,85(58%) out of 147 candidates analysed from BJP, 44(30%) out of 145 candidates analysed from INC, 33 (22%) out of 147 candidates analysed from BJD and 5 (12%) out of 41 candidates analysed from AAP have declared serious criminal cases against themselves in their affidavits. The analysis revealed that 66 candidates have declared cases related to crime against women.

Out of 66 candidates, 4 candidates have declared charges related to rape (IPC Section-376).

Ten candidates have declared cases related to murder (IPC Section -302) against themselves while 70 candidates have declared cases related to attempt to murder (IPC Section 307) against themselves.

Five candidates have declared cases related to hate speech against themselves.

This apart, 59(40%) out of 147 constituencies are red alert constituencies.

Red alert constituencies are those where 3 or more contesting candidates have declared criminal cases against themselves.

According to information, 59 (40%) constituencies in the Odisha assembly elections 2019 had 3 or more candidates with declared criminal cases The ADR and EOW stated that the directions of the Supreme Court have had no effect on the political parties in selection of candidates in the Odisha Assembly Elections 2024 as they have again followed their old practice of giving tickets to around 27% candidates with criminal cases.

All major parties contesting in Odisha elections have given tickets from 17% to 68% 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 5 State Assembly elections held in 2023, 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.

Out of the 1283 candidates analysed, 412(32%) are crorepatis.

In 2019 Odisha Assembly Elections, out of 1121 candidates, 304(27%) were crorepatis.