In the upcoming Delhi elections, 132 candidates out of 699 have declared criminal cases against themselves, according to a report by Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) and Delhi Election Watch.
The ADR and Delhi Election Watch have analysed the self-sworn affidavits of all 699 candidates, who are contesting in the Delhi 2025 Assembly Elections. Out of 699 contesting candidates, 278 are from National parties, 29 are from State parties, 254 are from registered unrecognised parties and 138 candidates are contesting Independently.
Out of the 699 candidates, 132(19%) candidates have declared criminal cases against themselves. In 2020 Delhi Assembly Elections, out of 672 candidates analysed, 133(20%) had declared criminal cases against themselves.
A total of 81(12%) have declared serious criminal cases. In 2020 Delhi Assembly Elections, 104 (15%) candidates had declared serious criminal cases against themselves.
Among the major parties, 44(63%) out of 70 candidates analysed from AAP, 29(41%) out of 70 candidates analysed from Congress and 20 (29%) out of 68 candidates analysed from BJP have declared criminal cases against themselves in their affidavits.
Among the major parties, 29(41%) out of 70 candidates analysed from AAP, 13(19%) out of 70 candidates analysed from Congress and 9 (13%) out of 68 candidates analysed from BJP have declared serious criminal cases against themselves in their affidavits.
A total of 13 candidates have declared cases related to crime against women and two candidates have declared cases related to murder (IPC Section-302) against themselves. Five candidates have declared cases related to Attempt to murder (IPC Section-307), according to the report.
“The directions of the Supreme Court have had no effect on the political parties in selection of candidates in the Delhi Assembly Elections 2025 as they have again followed their old practice of giving tickets to around 19% candidates with criminal cases. All major parties contesting in Delhi Assembly Elections 2025 have given tickets from 12% to 63 % candidates who have declared criminal cases against themselves,” the report by ADR read.
Voting in Delhi will take place on February 5 and results will be announced on February 8.