Bhubaneswar: Odisha Election Watch and Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) have analysed the self-sworn affidavits of all 37 candidates, who are contesting in the four constituencies of Berhampur, Kalahandi, Koraput and Nabarangpur in the Odisha Phase-I in Lok sabha phase IV elections 2024.
As per the analysis, out of the 37 candidates in the fray, seven candidates have declared criminal cases against themselves.
Six of them have declared serious criminal cases against themselves.
Out of these six candidates, three are from the BJP, two from the BJD and one is from Congress.
Criteria for serious criminal cases: 1. Offence for which maximum punishment is 5 years or more. 2. If an offence is non-bailable 3. If it is an electoral offence (for eg. IPC 171E or bribery) 4. Offence related to loss to exchequer 5. Offences that are assault, murder, kidnap, rape-related 6. Offences that are mentioned in Representation of the People Act (Section 8) 7. Offences under Prevention of Corruption Act 8. Crimes against women
