[National Election Watch news] Press Release: Assam Assembly Elections (Phase 1)

Dear Friends,

Assam Election Watch and Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) have analysed the self-sworn affidavits of all 539 candidates who are contesting in the first phase of Assam Assembly Elections to be held on 04 April 2016. Please find below details of the criminal background of these candidates. 
Criminal Background

·         Candidates with Criminal Cases: Out of all the 539 candidates, 30 (6%) candidates have declared criminal cases against themselves.

·         Candidates with Serious Criminal Cases: 25 (5%) candidates have declared serious criminal cases including cases related to murder, attempt to murder, kidnapping, crimes against women etc.

·         Candidates with cases related to murder: 2 candidates have declared cases related to murder (Indian Penal Code Section-302). Kushal Dowari of the BJP from Thowra constituency has declared 1 charge related to murder.  Janardan Hazarika, of Independent from Amguri constituency has declared 1 charge related to murder.

·         Candidates with cases related to Attempt to Murder: 1 candidate namely Kushal Dowari of BJP from Thowra constituency has declared 1 charge related to attempt to murder (Indian Penal Code Section-307).

·         Candidates with cases related to Crimes against Women: 1 candidate namely Ibungobi Singha an Independent from Sonai constituency has declared 1 charge related to assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty (Indian Penal Code Section-354).

·         Candidates with cases related to Kidnapping: 1 candidate namely Abdul Ahad Choudhury an Independent from Karimganj North constituency has declared 1 charge related to Kidnapping for ransom, etc. (Indian Penal Code Section-364A).

·         Party wise Candidates with Criminal Cases: 8 (12%) out of 65 candidates from Indian National Congress (INC), 3 (6%) out of 54 candidates from Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP), 3 (11%) out of 27 candidates from All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF), 1 (10%) out of 10 candidates fielded by Communist Party of India (Marxist) CPI(M), 1 (17%) out of 6 candidates from Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) (Liberation) (CPI(ML)(L)), and 14 (5%) out of 280 Independent candidates have declared criminal cases against themselves in their affidavits.

·         Party wise Candidates with Serious Criminal Cases: 6 (9%) out of 65 candidates from INC, 3 (6%) out of 54 candidates from BJP, 2 (7%) out of 27 candidates from AIUDF, 1 (17%) out of 6 candidates fielded by (CPI(ML)(L), and 13 (5%) out of 280 Independent candidates have declared criminal cases against themselves in their affidavits.

·         Red Alert Constituencies*: 3 constituencies namely Karimganj North, Sonai and Hailakandi in First Phase of Assam assembly elections have 3 or more candidates with declared criminal cases. *Red Alert Constituencies are those which have 3 or more candidates with criminal cases contesting elections.
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