49 Candidates in JK Phase II Elections Declare Criminal cases

49 Candidates in JK Phase II Elections Declare Criminal cases

49 Candidates in JK Phase II Elections Declare Criminal cases

Key Highlights:

1. 49 out of 238 candidates in J&K Phase II elections have criminal cases.
2. 37 candidates face serious criminal charges, including rape and crimes against women.
3. 8 constituencies are marked as red alert due to multiple candidates with criminal records.

A report by the Association of Democratic Reforms (ADR) reveals that 49 out of 238 candidates contesting in the second phase of Jammu and Kashmir Assembly Elections have declared criminal cases against themselves.

Among these, 37 candidates have admitted to serious criminal charges, including attempted murder, crimes against women, and rape.

The analysis, conducted by Jammu & Kashmir Election Watch and ADR, examined the affidavits of 238 candidates from a total of 239, as one affidavit was incomplete. Independent candidate Sarjan Ahmad Wagay from the Beerwah constituency was not included due to the unavailability of his complete affidavit.

Voting in the second phase of the J&K Assembly elections will take place on September 25 in 26 constituencies across Central Kashmir. Notably, eight of these constituencies are classified as red alert areas, meaning three or more candidates with criminal backgrounds are contesting in those constituencies.

Among the political parties, the Jammu and Kashmir People’s Democratic Party (JKPDP), Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Congress, and Jammu & Kashmir National Conference (JKNC) have fielded candidates with criminal records.

Specifically, 15% of JKPDP, 24% of BJP, 33% of Congress, and 5% of JKNC candidates have declared criminal cases.

The report criticized political parties for their lack of commitment to reforming the electoral system, suggesting that the continued nomination of candidates with criminal backgrounds threatens the integrity of democracy in the region.