Bihar Elections 2025: 26 per cent candidates in phase 2 face serious criminal charges

Bihar Polls

With less than 48 hours remaining before Bihar goes to vote in the first phase of assembly polls, the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) and Bihar Election Watch in a joint finding declared that 341 out of 1297 (26 per cent) candidates have serious criminal cases against them.

The ADR and Bihar Election Watch have analysed the self-sworn affidavits of 1297 out of 1302 candidates, who are contesting in the upcoming phase 2 of the assembly polls. Additionally, out of 1297 candidates analyzed, 415 (32%) candidates have declared criminal cases against themselves.

Furthermore, 19 candidates have declared cases of to murder (IPC Section-302, 303) and (BNS Section-103(1)). 79 candidates have declared cases of attempt to murder (IPC Section-307) and (BNS Section-109) and 52 candidates have declared cases related to crimes against women. Out of 52 candidates, 3 candidates have declared cases related to rape (IPC Section- 375 and 376).

Among the major parties, 58 (50%) out of 117 candidates analysed from Jan Suraaj Party, 17 (19%) out of 91 candidates analysed from BSP, 38 (54%) out of 70 candidates analysed from RJD, 30 (57%) out of 53 candidates analysed from BJP, 14 (32%) out of 44 candidates analysed from JD (U), 12 (31%) out of 39 candidates analysed from AAP, 25 (68%) out of 37 candidates analysed from INC, 9 (60%) out of 15 candidates analysed from Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), 5 (83%) out of 6 candidates analysed from CPI (ML) (L), 2 (50%) out of 4 candidates analysed from CPI and 1candidate analysed from CPI(M) have declared criminal cases against themselves in their affidavits.

Additionally, 51 (44%) out of 117 candidates analysed from Jan Suraaj Party, 12 (13%) out of 91 candidates analysed from BSP, 27 (39%) out of 70 candidates analysed from RJD, 22 (42%) out of 53 candidates analysed from BJP, 11 (25%) out of 44 candidates analysed from JD (U), 12 (31%) out of 39 candidates analysed from AAP, 20 (54%) out of 37 candidates analysed from INC, 9 (60%) out of 15 candidates analysed from Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), 4 (67%) out of 6 candidates analysed from CPI (ML)(L), 2 (50%) out of 4 candidates analysed from CPI and 1 (100%) out of 1 candidate analysed from CPI(M) have declared serious criminal cases against themselves in their affidavits.

Bihar's long-awaited assembly election is set to begin its first phase on November 6, 2025. Voters from 121 constituencies across 18 districts will cast their ballots in this crucial electoral exercise that will decide the state's political future.