Out of 375 candidates contesting the February 27 Meghalaya Assembly elections, 21 candidates have declared criminal cases against themselves. 15 of them have serious criminal cases.
This is as per a report by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR), a registered non-governmental organisation (NGO) working to bring electoral reforms in the country.
Two candidates have declared cases related to murder (IPC Section-302) while three candidates have declared cases related to Attempt to murder (IPC Section-307).
Five candidates have declared cases related to crime against women. Out of these five candidates, one candidate has declared case related to rape (IPC Section-376) and one candidate has declared case related to person committing rape repeatedly on the same woman (IPC Section- 376(2)(n)).
The 15 candidates with serious criminal cases include Bernard N. Marak of BJP (South Tura) who has 14 pending cases against him, Champion R. Sangma of Congress (Songsak) who has 11 pending cases against him, Vincent T. Sangma of Trinamool Congress (Mawsynram) who has four pending cases against him, Ashahel D. Shira of UDP (Rajabala) who has four pending cases against him, Panseng R. Marak of Republican Party of India – A (Dalu) who has one pending cases against him, Mazel Amparaeen Lyngdoh of NPP (East Shillong) who has one pending cases against her, Nikman Ch Marak of GNC (Chokpot) who has four pending cases against him, Joannes J T L Lamare Trinamool Congress Nongkrem who has two pending cases against him, Deborah C. Marak of Congress (Williamnagar) who has one pending cases against her, Richard Sing Lyngdoh of Congress (Raliang), Stevie M. Marak of NPP (Ampati), Alphonse Ch Sangma of Congress (Baghmara), Thomas A. Sangma of NPP (North Tura), Damewanhi Rymbai of VPP (Khliehriat) and Sanjay A. Sangma of NPP (Mahendraganj).
The candidates who have ordinary criminal cases are Habahun Dkhar of NPP (Mowkaiaw), Sengkal A. Sangma of Trinamool Congress (Dalu), Michael Kharsyntiew Independent candidate (North Shillong), Angela G. Rangad Independent candidate (South Shillong) and Andrew Charles Gare of Congress (Mawshynrut).
Among the major parties, four out of 60 candidates analysed from Congress, four out of 57 candidates analysed from NPP, one out of 60 candidates analysed from BJP and two out of 56 candidates analysed from Trinamool Congress have declared serious criminal cases against themselves in their affidavits.
Among the major parties, five out of 60 candidates analysed from Congress, six out of 57 candidates analysed from NPP, one out of 60 candidates analysed from BJP and three out of 56 candidates analysed from Trinamool Congress have declared criminal cases against themselves in their affidavits.
The directions of the Supreme Court have had no effect on the political parties in selection of candidates in the Meghalaya Assembly Elections 2023 as they have again followed their old practice of giving tickets to around 6 per cent candidates with criminal cases.
All major parties contesting in Meghalaya elections have given tickets to 2 per cent to 50 per cent candidates who have declared criminal cases against themselves.
The Supreme Court in its directions dated 13th February, 2020 had specifically instructed political parties to give reasons for such selection and why other individuals without criminal antecedents could not be selected as candidates. As per these mandatory guidelines, the reasons for such selection have to be with reference to qualifications, achievements and merit of the candidate concerned.
