Association For Democratic Reforms points out massive anomalies between the sworn affidavits of candidates and their IT returns. Says it will take upto 100 years to earn the kind of money declared in affidavits by candidates. ADR says it was the responsibility of the returning officers and then the CEO to check or tally the candidates’ affidavits and their IT returns, since it constitutes gross misinformation to the public and it does not create a level playing field for other candidates.
Speaking about candidates’ wealth, Assoldekar said this time there are 187 crorepatis in the 2022 Assembly Elections. Ninety three candidates have assets worth over Rs 5 crore while 60 candidates have assets of over Rs 10 crore. ADR named Delilah Lobo, Michael Lobo and Dr Chandrakant Shetye as among the richest candidates as per their declared assets. ADR also pointed out that the number of candidates with criminal background had more than doubled from 2017 assembly elections. In 2017 there were just 8 percent candidates with criminal offences against them whereas now the number has gone up to 18%. Assoldekar also pointed out that the Red Alert Constituencies had gone up to 30% (14 out of 49)which is highest in India. A Red Alert Constituency is one in which more than three candidates have criminal cases. Red Alert Constituencies have gone up by 400%, Assoldekar said.
