Mizoram Election ADR report: In the upcoming Mizoram Assembly elections, a total of seven candidates have declared criminal cases against themselves, while 114 candidates have assets more than Rs one crore, a report by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) and Mizoram Election Watch said.
The report released on Monday analysed the self-sworn affidavits of all 174 candidates, who are contesting Mizoram election 2023.
Out of the 174 candidates analysed in Mizoram Assembly elections 2023, seven (4 per cent) candidates have declared criminal cases against themselves. In 2018 Mizoram Assembly Elections, out of 209 candidates analysed, nine (4 per cent) had declared criminal cases against themselves. Out of the seven candidates who have declared criminal cases all seven (4 per cent) have declared serious criminal cases.
Four (10 per cent) out of 40 candidates analysed from Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM), two (nine per cent) out of 23 candidates analysed from BJP, and one (three per cent) out of 40 candidates analysed from MNF have declared criminal cases against themselves in their affidavits.
Mizoram Polls: Candidates financial background
Out of the 174 candidates analysed, 114 (66 per cent) are crorepatis. In the last elections, which was held in 2018, out of 209 candidates, 116 (56 per cent) were crorepatis.
A total of 45 candidates have assets worth Rs five crores and above, 44 candidates have assets worth Rs two to five crores and 50 lakhs to two crores.
BJP’s J.B. Rualchhinga, who is contesting from Lawngtlai West (ST) Assembly seat is the richest candidate with declared assets worth Rs 90.32 crore. Congress candidates from Serchhip (ST) Assembly seat R. Vanlaltluanga is next with declared assets to the tune of Rs 55.63 crore. The ZPM’s H. Ginzalala, who is contesting from Champhai North (ST) Assembly seat has assets to the tune of Rs 36.09 crore, the ADR report said.
Among the major parties 36 (90 per cent) out of 40 candidates analysed from MNF, 33 (83 per cent) out of 40 candidates analysed from Congress, 29 (73 per cent) out of 40 candidates analysed from Zoram People’s Movement, nine (39 per cent) out of 23 candidates analysed from BJP, one (25 per cent) out of 4 candidates analysed from AAP and six (22 per cent) out of 27 Independent candidates analysed have declared assets valued more than Rs 1 crore.
Mizoram Election: Candidates’ educational qualifications
A total of 43 (25 per cent) candidates have declared their educational qualifications to be between 5th and 12th Class while 128 (74 per cent) candidates have declared having an educational qualification of graduate or above. Two candidates are Diploma holders and one candidate is Illiterate, according to the ADR report.
A total of 18 (10 per cent) female candidates are contesting in the Mizoram Assembly election 2023. In the last election, 18(nine per cent) out of 209 candidates analysed were women, it highlighted.