AAP has most candidates with criminal backgrounds in MCD polls: ADR

The Aam Aadmi Party has fielded the maximum 45 candidates with criminal records in municipal elections this year while the BJP has 27 such candidates, according to a report by Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR).

The AAP has pitched 250 candidates, out of which 248 self sworn-affidavits were analysed by the ADR and 18 per cent of them i.e., 45 have criminal records, the report said.

Moreover, at least eight per cent of the AAP candidates have serious criminal cases against them, it stated.

Meanwhile, the BJP, which has also pitched 250 candidates, has 27 candidates (11 per cent) with criminal records and the Congress has fielded 25 such candidates.

"45 (18 per cent) out of 248 candidates analysed from AAP, 27 (11 per cent) out of 249 candidates analysed from BJP and 25 (10 per cent) out of 245 candidates analysed from INC have declared criminal cases against themselves in their affidavits," the report mentioned.

"Among the major parties, 19 (8 per cent) out of 248 candidates analysed from AAP, 14 (6%) out of 249 candidates analysed from BJP and 12 (5%) out of 245 candidates analysed from INC have declared serious criminal cases against themselves in their affidavits," the report added.

This year 1,349 candidates are contesting in the MCD election which will be held on December 4.

Out of 1,349 candidates, self-sworn affidavits of 1,336 candidates were analysed by the ADR and Delhi Election Watch. The ADR was not able to analyse the 13 candidates as their affidavits were either badly scanned or complete affidavits were not uploaded on the State Election Commission (SEC), Delhi website.

At least 139 candidates contesting the election this year have criminal cases against them. This accounts for nearly 10 per cent of total candidates as compared to 7 per cent in 2017.

Six per cent have declared serious criminal cases against themselves.

"Out of 1,336 candidates analyzed, 139 (10%) candidates have declared criminal cases against themselves. In 2017 MCD Elections, out of 2,315 candidates analysed, 173 (7%) had declared criminal cases against themselves," the report read.

"76 (6 percent) have declared serious criminal cases against themselves. In 2017 MCD Elections, 116 (5 per cent) candidates had declared serious criminal cases against themselves," it added.

Only one candidate has declared cases related to murder (IPC Section-302) against himself in the affidavit, the report noted.

While six candidates have declared cases related to attempts to murder (IPC Section-307) against themselves, the ADR said.