A report released by the Association for Democratic Reforms has revealed that 17 per cent of winning candidates in the recent Assam Assembly elections have declared criminal cases against themselves, highlighting the continuing presence of candidates with legal backgrounds in the electoral process.
According to the report, which is based on self-affidavits submitted by candidates, 21 out of 126 winning candidates have disclosed criminal cases, while 19 of them, accounting for 15 per cent, face serious criminal charges. Among the serious cases, three winning candidates have declared cases related to attempt to murder under Section 307 of the Indian Penal Code, along with provisions under the Arms Act.
The findings indicate a slight improvement compared to the 2021 Assembly elections, when 34 MLAs, or 27 per cent, had declared criminal cases, including 28 legislators facing serious charges. Despite the decline in numbers, the report underscores that the issue remains a matter of concern in the state’s political landscape.
The report also points to cases related to crimes against women, with around 7 per cent of the winning candidates having declared such charges. A party-wise analysis reveals variations among political parties, with some parties reporting a higher proportion of candidates with criminal backgrounds than others.
In addition to criminal records, the ADR report highlights a significant increase in the wealth of winning candidates. The average assets of MLAs have risen to ₹8.82 crore, nearly doubling from ₹4.59 crore recorded in the 2021 elections. A large majority of the winning candidates, 107 out of 126, have declared assets exceeding ₹1 crore, classifying them as crorepatis.
The report further indicates that the trend of affluent candidates dominating electoral outcomes continues, raising broader questions about the role of money and background in the democratic process. While the decline in the proportion of candidates with criminal cases may be seen as a positive shift, the persistence of such candidates in significant numbers suggests that electoral reforms and greater scrutiny remain necessary.