Nearly four in 10 candidates in Kerala's 2026 Assembly elections have criminal cases registered against them, with 23% facing serious charges, according to a new report by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR).
Of the 863 candidates analyzed, 324—or 38%—have declared criminal cases, matching the 38% (355 of 928) from the 2021 polls. Serious cases involve 201 candidates, up from 18% in 2021.
Congress leads with the highest share: 72 of 85 candidates (85%) have cases, followed by Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) at 21 of 25 (84%), CPI(M) at 51 of 77 (66%), BJP at 59 of 93 (63%), and CPI at 13 of 24 (54%). Kerala Congress factions show 75% (6 of 8) for Kerala Congress, 42% (5 of 12) for Kerala Congress (Mani), plus one each from NCP, Kerala Congress (B), and Kerala Congress (Jacob).
For serious cases, Congress tops at 60 of 85 (71%), BJP at 39 of 93 (42%), IUML at 13 of 25 (52%), CPI(M) at 21 of 77 (27%), CPI at 2 of 24 (8%), Kerala Congress (Mani) at 2 of 12 (17%), Kerala Congress at 4 of 8 (50%), and one each from NCP, Kerala Congress (B), and Kerala Congress (Jacob).
Fifteen candidates face crimes against women charges, including one under repeated rape provisions. Four have murder cases; 13 have attempt-to-murder cases.
ADR notes limited impact from the Supreme Court's 2020 directive mandating parties to justify fielding candidates with criminal records. Parties often cite "popularity," "social work," or "politically motivated" cases—reasons ADR deems baseless. "Political parties have no interest in reforming the electoral system," the report warns, "our democracy will continue to suffer at the hands of lawbreakers who become lawmakers."
Assets data reveals a sharp rise: 339 of 863 candidates (39%) declare over Rs 1 crore, up from 27% (249 of 928) in 2021. Average assets per candidate: Rs 2.78 crore (vs. Rs 1.69 crore in 2021).
Kerala Congress leads at 100% (all 8 candidates), followed by Kerala Congress (Mani) at 92%, IUML at 84%, Congress at 72% (61 of 85), CPI(M) at 68% (52 of 77), BJP at 56% (52 of 93), and CPI at 50% (12 of 24). NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) has 2 of 3; sole candidates from Kerala Congress (B) and (Jacob) also qualify.