A report by the Association for Democratic Reforms reveals that approximately 23 percent of candidates participating in the upcoming Puducherry Assembly elections have disclosed criminal cases against themselves. The analysis covered the affidavits of 291 candidates out of 294 vying for 30 seats in the elections set for April 9, with results expected on May 4. Among these candidates, 34 are affiliated with national parties, 63 represent state parties, 80 are from registered unrecognized parties, and 117 are running as Independents.

Criminal Background of Candidates

The report indicates that 66 candidates, constituting 23 percent, have declared criminal charges, a slight increase from the 17 percent recorded in the 2021 elections, where 54 out of 323 candidates were similarly affected. Out of the 66 candidates facing charges, 38, or 13 percent, are involved in serious criminal cases, compared to 28, or 9 percent, in the previous election cycle. Notably, among significant political parties, 3 out of 21 candidates from the Congress party, 4 out of 16 from the All India NR Congress, 6 out of 12 from the DMK, and 5 out of 10 from the BJP have acknowledged criminal backgrounds in their official declarations.

Serious Allegations Against Some Candidates

Of the candidates with declared criminal cases, three are involved in offenses related to crimes against women, and two have been implicated in murder cases under Section 302 of the Indian Penal Code. The report emphasizes that major political parties are nominating between 14 to 50 percent of candidates with criminal histories. A Supreme Court ruling from February 13, 2020, mandated that political parties explain their rationale for selecting candidates with criminal records in lieu of those without such backgrounds. The Association for Democratic Reforms highlighted that in two state elections held in 2025, political parties offered inadequate justifications, citing factors such as the candidate’s popularity or alleged political motivations behind their legal troubles as reasons for their selection.

Financial Profiles of Contesting Candidates

Regarding the financial standing of the candidates, the report indicates that 119, or 41 percent, are classified as crorepatis, a substantial increase from the 23 percent noted in the 2021 elections. This trend underscores the significant role that wealth plays in electoral candidacy, as evidenced by major political parties favoring financially affluent candidates. Among larger parties, 17 out of 21 Congress candidates, all 16 candidates from the AINR, 11 out of 12 from the DMK, and every one of the 10 BJP nominees have declared assets exceeding Rs 1 crore.

Total Assets of Candidates

The combined assets declared by the 291 candidates amount to Rs 2,099 crore, averaging approximately Rs 7.21 crore per candidate. This data reflects the ongoing concerns about the influence of money in elections, further highlighting patterns in candidate selection across parties and questioning the integrity of the electoral process in Puducherry.

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