Thirty-two percent of the contesting in the second phase of the Assembly elections in Bihar have declared criminal cases against themselves, a study by the Association for Democratic Reforms and the National Election Watch has shown.

Of those who had declared criminal cases, 26%, or 341, of them have serious criminal cases such as murder and crimes against women, the election watchdogs said on Tuesday.

The election watchdogs classify serious criminal cases as those having a maximum punishment of five years or more. It also includes offences that are non-bailable, an electoral offence, related to loss to the exchequer, assault, murder, kidnap, rape and crimes against women.

The Assembly polls will take place in two phases on November 6 and November 11. The votes will be counted on November 14.

The Association for Democratic Reforms and the National Election Watch analysed the self-sworn affidavits of 1,297 out of the 1,302 candidates who are contesting in the second phase of the elections.

Among the major parties, about 68% of the analysed candidates of the Congress declared criminal cases against themselves, 57% from the Bharatiya Janata Party, 54% from the Rashtriya Janata Dal and 32% from the Janata Dal (United).

Fifty percent of the analysed candidates from Prashant Kishor’s Jan Suraaj party declared criminal cases.

Five out of six, or 83%, of the analysed candidates from the Communist Party of India (Marxist–Leninist) Liberation declared such cases and 60% from the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas).

The study also analysed the growing influence of wealth in the electoral process.

Of the 1,302 candidates that were analysed, 562, or 43%, had assets worth more than Rs 1 crore.

Among the major parties, the Lok Janshakti Party had the highest number of crorepati candidates at 100%, followed by the JD(U) at 91%, the RJD and Congress at 84% and the BJP at 83%.

Follow Scroll’s coverage of the 2025 Bihar Assembly polls here.

The election watchdogs also noted that 528, or about 41%, of the candidates had declared their educational qualifications to be between Class 5 and Class 12, while 627, or around 48%, declared having an educational qualification of a graduate degree or above.

Fifteen candidates were diploma-holders, the Association for Democratic Reforms report said, adding that 117 candidates had declared themselves to be literate and nine candidates illiterate.

The report added that only 133, or about 10%, of the candidates contesting in the second phase are women.

Also read: Bihar polls: 32% candidates in first phase have declared criminal cases

The Association for Democratic Reforms and the National Election Watch said that the way to remedy the existing problem of criminalisation was to immediately act on the plausible solutions offered by several committees, civil society and citizens.

“Supreme Court of India being the ultimate custodian of ‘Justice and Rule of Law’ should reprimand political parties and politicians for their complete lack of will, reprehensible predilection and absence of required laws,” it said.

The election watchdogs recommended permanent disqualification of the candidates convicted for heinous crimes such as murder, rape, smuggling, dacoity and kidnapping.

“Disqualification of persons from contesting elections to the public offices against whom charges have been framed for having committed serious criminal offences punishable by imprisonment of at least five years, and the case is filed at least six months prior to the election in question,” the report said.

It also recommended the cancellation of tax exemptions given to political parties that field such “tainted” candidates and bringing all parties under the Right to Information Act. “De-register and de-recognise any political party if it knowingly puts up a candidate with a tainted background,” the election watchdogs added.

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