Kolkata, Apr 23:
A significant number of candidates contesting the first phase of polls in West Bengal have declared serious criminal cases against themselves, according to a report by the Association for Democratic Reforms and West Bengal Election Watch.
The report revealed that 294 out of 1,475 candidates—nearly one in five—have self-declared serious criminal charges in their affidavits.
Overall, 23 per cent of candidates (345 in total) contesting in this phase have admitted to facing criminal cases, highlighting concerns over the criminalisation of politics.
The findings are based on affidavits submitted by candidates ahead of polling for the first phase of the Assembly elections, where voting is being held across multiple constituencies.
The report has once again brought attention to the need for electoral reforms and greater scrutiny of candidates’ backgrounds, even as polling continues in the State.