Shillong, Feb 12: The Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) and the Meghalaya Election Watch (MGEW) released a report containing comprehensive detail of financial, criminal education, gender and other details of the candidates contesting the Meghalaya assembly polls slated for February 23.
The report which was released on Tuesday at the Shillong Press club based on the affidavit filed by 341 out of the 345 candidates.
The report states that out of hundred and thirteen candidates out of 341 contestants “crorepatis”.
However, the report also stated that 13 candidates or 4 percent out of the 341 analyzed have declared criminal cases.
The MEW members revealed that seven candidates- one each from UDP, NPP and five Independent- have declared serious criminal cases like extortion, sedition and cheating against them.
The top three candidates who have declared serious criminal cases against them include Arun N Marak of UDP from Songsak who has been charged with extortion, Marcuise N Marak of NPP from Williamnagar with sedition charge and Independent candidate Kismet A Sangma from North Tura charged for cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property, the analysis report of MEW stated.
“We have analyzed the affidavits of 341 candidates for public and electorate information about the candidate’s assets, income, educational qualification and criminal background which was declared in their affidavits sworn in by them,” Singh told reporters.
Declaration by the ADR, on the sudden increase in accumulation of wealth by only a section of re-contesting candidates, while choosing to ignore those with heinous criminal history seems to be a slipshod analysis that in its own warrants deeper analysis.
“Affidavit was incomplete, scanned badly or not declared,” was one of the justification put forward by , Co-ordinator Punjab Election watch, Jaskirat Singh.
Reasoning further for the non-inclusion of the few, Singh reasoned, “We analyse based on the declaration and affidavit filed by the candidates and cannot say anything unless it is declared.”(SP News)
