Assam phase II polls- 42 have pending criminal cases

The second phase of the Assam Assembly elections will witness a total of 42 candidates with pending criminal cases contesting the polls.

A data analysis prepared by the Association for Democratic Reforms states that it has analysed the self-sworn affidavits of 523 candidates out of 525 candidates who are contesting in the Second phase of Assam Assembly Elections to be held on 11 April 2016.

Analysis on pending criminal cases:

Candidates with Criminal Cases: Out of the 523 candidates analysed, 42 (8%) candidates have declared criminal cases against themselves.

Candidates with Serious Criminal Cases: 32 (6%) 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 Sections-302 and 303). Ananta Kumar Malo of the AIUDF from Abhayapuri South constituency has declared 1 charge related to murder by life-convict. Abul Kalam Rasheed Alam, of INC from Goalpara East constituency has declared 1 charge related to murder.

Candidates with cases related to Attempt to Murder: 2 candidates have declared cases of attempt to murder (IPC Section-307). They are Amrit Badsha of INC from Bilasipara East constituency and Ujjal Deb an Independent from Lumding constituency.

Candidates with cases related to Crimes against Women: 2 candidates have declared cases related to crimes against women. They are Abdul Samad Choudhury of AIUDF Party from Rangiya constituency, Javed Hussain Tanwar of the The National Road Map Party of India contesting from Gauhati West constituency. Both candidates have declared charges related to assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty (IPC Section-354).

Candidates with cases related to Kidnapping: 2 candidates have declared cases related to Kidnapping or abducting with intent secretly and wrongfully to confine person, registered against them, under IPC-365. They are Abdur Rahim Khan of AIUDF from Barpeta constituency and A.Rahim Ahmed of INC from Barpeta constituency.

Party wise Candidates with Criminal Cases: 5 (9%) out of 57 candidates from Indian National Congress (INC), 5 (14%) out of 35 candidates from Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP), 10 (21%) out of 47 candidates from All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF), 1 (11%) out of 9 candidates fielded by Communist Party of India (Marxist) CPI(M), 1 (20%) out of 5 candidates from Samajwadi Party (SP), and 17 (8%) out of 216 Independent candidates have declared criminal cases against themselves in their affidavits.

Party wise Candidates with Serious Criminal Cases: 3 (5%) out of 57 candidates from INC, 4 (11%) out of 35 candidates from BJP, 8 (17%) out of 47 candidates from AIUDF, 1 (11%) out of 9 candidates fielded by CPI(M), and 12 (6%) out of 216 Independent candidates have declared criminal cases against themselves in their affidavits.

Red Alert Constituencies*: There is only 1 constituency (Marigaon) in the Second Phase of Assam assembly elections that has 3 candidates with declared criminal cases.*Red Alert Constituencies are those which have 3 or more candidates with criminal cases contesting elections.