Analysis Reveals Sikkim Election Candidates: 8 with Criminal Records, 102 Crorepatis.

An in-depth analysis conducted by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) and Sikkim Election Watch has brought to light some striking findings about the candidates vying for seats in the upcoming Sikkim Assembly Elections.

ADR has made its  report on the basis of self attested affidavits submitted by the candidates to Election Commission of India while filing their nominations.

Sikkim along with other states is going to polls on April 19th in the first phase to elect its 32 MLAs. 

Out of the 146 candidates scrutinized, a notable 8 individuals have disclosed criminal cases against themselves. While this figure represents a slight increase from the 2019 elections, it's a concerning trend nonetheless.

Additionally, 6 candidates have declared serious criminal charges against them.

On the wealth front, a staggering 102 candidates out of the total pool of 146 are crorepatis, indicating a significant influx of money into the political arena.

This rise in affluent candidates, compared to the previous elections, underscores the influence of financial prowess in the electoral process.

Among the parties, Sikkim Krantikari Morcha stands out with a whopping 97% of its candidates being crorepatis, followed closely by Sikkim Democratic Front at 88%.

Other major players like BJP and Citizen Action Party-Sikkim also boast a considerable proportion of wealthy candidates.

Moreover, the average assets per candidate in this election have skyrocketed to Rs 10.99 crores, showcasing a substantial increase compared to previous polls.

The top three contenders flaunting the highest declared assets include Delay Namgyal Barfungpa from Sikkim Krantikari Morcha, Bhaichung Bhutia from Sikkim Democratic Front, and Khusandra Prasad Sharma, an independent candidate.

However, amidst the opulence, there are also candidates with meager assets, with some even declaring liabilities.

For instance, candidates like Penzong Lepcha, Sancho Lepcha, and Yogen Rai from BJP have declared assets as low as Rs 3,000 to Rs 51,033.

While 90 candidates have admitted to having liabilities, all 146 contenders have disclosed their PAN details, ensuring transparency in financial matters.

Furthermore, the educational and demographic makeup of the candidates reflects a diverse pool, with a significant number having educational qualifications ranging from 5th to 12th standard, while others hold graduate or higher degrees.

However, the representation of women remains relatively low, with only 10% of the candidates being female.

In another revealing comparison, the analysis sheds light on re-contesting MLAs, indicating a substantial growth in their average assets over the past five years, with an 88% increase on average.

The voters have kept  cards close to their chest.