21 with pending criminal cases, 186 crorepatis in fray for Meghalaya assembly polls

In the 2018 elections, the Congress with 21 seats emerged as the single largest party. However it fell short of the majority mark, following which the NPP under Conrad Sangma formed the government

The Meghalaya assembly elections this year has 21 candidates with pending criminal cases.

There are also 186 crorepatis who will be contesting this year's assembly polls, according to a press release by the Meghalaya Election Watch and Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR).

The release also said that ADR and Meghalaya Election Watch have analysed the self-sworn affidavits of all 375 candidates who are contesting in the Meghalaya Assembly Elections 2023. Out of 375 candidates analysed, 233 are from National parties, 69 are from State parties, 29 are from registered unrecognised parties and 44 candidates are contesting independently.

Criminal background:

Candidates with Criminal Cases: Out of 375 candidates analyzed, 21 (6%) candidates have declared criminal cases against themselves. In 2018 Meghalaya Assembly Elections, out of 370 candidates analysed, 25(7%) had declared criminal cases against themselves.

Candidates with Serious Criminal Cases: 15(4%) have declared serious criminal cases against themselves. In 2018 Meghalaya Assembly Elections, 21(6%) candidates had declared serious criminal cases against themselves.

Party wise Candidates with Criminal Cases: Among the major parties, 5(8%) out of 60 candidates analysed from INC, 6(11%) out of 57 candidates analysed from NPP, 1(2%) out of 60 candidates analysed from BJP and 3 (5%) out of 56 candidates analysed from AITC have declared criminal cases against themselves in their affidavits.

Party wise Candidates with Serious Criminal Cases: Among the major parties, 4(7%) out of 60 candidates analysed from INC, 4(7%) out of 57 candidates analysed from NPP, 1(2%) out of 60 candidates analysed from BJP and 2 (4%) out of 56 candidates analysed from AITC have declared serious criminal cases against themselves in their affidavits.

Candidates with declared cases related to murder: 2 candidates have declared cases related to murder (IPC Section-302) against themselves.

Candidates with declared cases related to attempt to murder: 3 candidates have declared cases related to Attempt to murder (IPC Section-307) against themselves.

Candidates with declared cases related to crime against women: 5 candidates have declared cases related to crime against women. Out of 5 candidates 1 candidate has declared case related to rape (IPC Section-376) and 1 candidate has declared case related to person committing rape repeatedly on the same woman (IPC Section- 376(2)(n)).

Financial:

Crorepati Candidates: Out of the 375 candidates, 186 (50%) are crorepatis. In the 2018 Meghalaya Assembly Elections, out of 370 candidates, 152 (41%) were crorepatis.

Party wise Crorepati Candidates: The role of money power in our elections is evident from the fact that all major political parties give tickets to wealthy candidates. Among the major parties 43(75%) out of 57 candidates analysed from NPP, 30(65%) out of 46 candidates analysed from UDP, 27(48%) out of 56 candidates analysed from AITC, 25(42%) out of 60 candidates analysed from INC and 23(38%) out of 60 candidates analysed from BJP have declared assets valued more than Rs 1 crore, the release also said.

Average assets: The average of assets per candidate contesting in the Meghalaya Assembly Elections 2023 is Rs 5.91 Crores. In the 2018 Meghalaya Assembly Elections, average assets per candidate for 370 candidates was Rs.3.54 Crores.

Party wise average assets: Among major parties, the average assets per candidate for 60 BJP candidates analysed is Rs. 2.71 Crores, 60 INC candidates analysed is Rs 4.34 Crores, 57 NPP candidates analysed is Rs 10.68 Crores, 56 AITC candidates analysed is Rs 4.95 Crores and 46 UDP candidates have average assets worth Rs.10.50 Crores.

Other details:

Age details of candidates: 134(36%) candidates have declared their age to be between 25 to 40 years while 215(57%) candidates have declared their age to be between 41 to 60 years. There are 26(7%) candidates who have declared their age to be between 61 to 80 years.

Gender details of candidates: 36(10%) female candidates are contesting in the Meghalaya assembly election 2023. In 2018 Meghalaya Assembly Elections, 33(9%) out of 370 candidates analysed were women.

Meghalaya Elections 2018:

The Meghalaya assembly elections were last held in 2018. In the elections, the Congress won 21 of the 60 seats. With the Congress forming short, the National People's Party (NPP) formed the government with the help of other parties.

Conrad Sangma became the Chief Minister of the state with the help of the BJP, United Democratic Party, Hill State People's Democratic Party and the People's Democratic Front.