Number of Lok Sabha candidates with criminal cases up 4% in 10 years

It found that 2,297, or 29%, candidates are "crorepatis", that is with assets of more than Rs 1 crore

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A voter gets her finger marked with indelible ink before casting vote at a polling station, during the 4th phase of Lok Sabha elections, in Jabalpur, Monday, April 29, 2019. Photo: PTI

Archis Mohan New Delhi

2 min read Last Updated : May 14 2019 | 1:59 AM IST

As many as 1,500, or 19 per cent, of all candidates contesting the Lok Sabha polls, face criminal cases, according to an analysis by election watchdog Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR).

The ADR analysed the self-sworn affidavits of 7,928 of 8,049 candidates who are contesting in the seven-phase Lok Sabha elections. It said 121 candidates were not analysed because of unavailability of their clear and complete affidavits on the Election Commission’s (EC’s) website.

It found that 2,297, or 29 per cent, candidates are “crorepatis”, that is with assets of more than Rs 1 crore. The average assets of candidates is