CHANDIGARH, Punjab—A report released by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) on May 12 reveals that 7 out of the total 10 candidates nominated by the Shiromani Akali Dal were facing criminal cases. In this way, the Shiromani Akali Dal outshines the graph in matter of maximum number of candidates with criminal background in the state.
The Aam Admi Party stands on second position in this concern with three candidates in poll fray with criminal background. Similarly, the Congress, Communist Party of India and the Lok Insaaf Party have fielded one candidate each with criminal background. Interestingly, none of the BJP’s three candidates in Punjab are facing any criminal case.
On evaluating the report candidate wise, it comes to fore that PDA candidate Simarjit Singh Bains heightens the graph with eight criminal cases against him. SAD president Sukhbir Badal, who is contesting elections from the Ferozepur parliamentary seat, resides at third position with four criminal cases against him.
As per the report, a total of 278 candidates are in poll fray in the state. Of them, 39 (14 %) are facing criminal cases. When it comes to serious criminal cases, there are 29 candidates (10 %). The offence for which maximum punishment is of five years or more, or offence which is non-bailable is considered serious.
When it comes to educational status of the candidates in the state, 149 candidates (54 per cent) have declared their education qualification to be between 5th and 12th standard. While 95 (34 per cent) candidates have declared having qualification of graduate or above. A total of 18 illiterate candidates are in the fray.
