A Decade of Disruption (2014–2024)
Over the last decade of electoral dormancy, Jammu and Kashmir’s electoral landscape has witnessed a silent shift. Between 2014 and 2024, there has been a noticeable increase in the wealth of candidates contesting elections, along with a rise in the number of candidates with criminal backgrounds as per the data available with Election Commission of India (https://affidavit.eci.gov.in/). This trend reflects a growing influence of money and muscle in the state politics, raising concerns about the integrity of the democratic process.
Despite clear directions from the Hon’ble Supreme Court, on 25th September,2018 & 13th February, 2020 and the subsequent directives by the Election Commission to disclose criminal records of candidates and provide valid reasons for their selection, these measures appear to have had limited impact. Many political parties continue to prioritise "winnability" over merit, resulting in a rise in Red Alert Constituencies where candidates with serious criminal cases dominate.
As the scrutiny for the third and final phase of the Jammu and Kashmir Elections to Legislative Assembly-2024 (J&KGELA-2024) has been completed, the ECI has made the data available on their official website for all the 873 contesting candidates. This data provides insights into the criminal backgrounds, assets, educational qualifications, and age demographics of the contesting candidates. To ensure that this data reaches a broader audience, it should be integrated into the ECI’s Systematic Voters' Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP) programme. By doing so, the general electorate can be better informed about the profiles of those running for office, empowering voters to make educated decisions during the polls.
The comparative analysis of contesting candidates shows a clear increase in both criminal backgrounds and wealth among the contesting candidates. In 2014, 12.75% of the total contesting candidates across various party affiliations had declared criminal cases, while this figure rose to 17% by 2024, as demonstrated by the data on criminal cases (Fig-1). This points to the growing consolidation of individuals with criminal backgrounds in the political landscape, despite judicial and electoral directives aimed at mitigating such trends.
This rise in muscle power is closely connected to an equally concerning increase in money power. In 2014, 38% of candidates were millionaires; by 2024, this figure had risen to 47%, establishing a strong correlation between financial capacity and political participation (Fig-2). The average asset value of contesting candidates has nearly doubled, from ₹1.9 crore in the 2014 J&KGELA to ₹3.6 crore in the 2024 elections. This sharp rise in personal wealth among candidates is not merely coincidental but indicative of an electoral system increasingly influenced by affluence.
In stark contrast to rise in money and muscle power, the data on education and age shows only marginal shifts. While there is a slight increase in younger candidates, particularly in the 25-40 age group, this change pales in comparison to the surge in wealth and criminal backgrounds (Fig-3). The involvement of more young candidates signals a potential shift, but it remains far from substantial enough to counterbalance the dominance of financial and coercive forces in the political arena.
The philosopher John Stuart Mill once noted, "A government that does not represent the enlightened portion of society cannot expect to advance the public interest." In this context, the need for greater representation of educated individuals and the younger generation becomes paramount.
The increasing dominance of money and muscle power in the 2024 Jammu & Kashmir elections, with 47% of candidates being millionaires and 17% having criminal cases, poses a direct threat to the democratic process. Immediate measures such as disqualifying candidates with serious criminal charges and mandating transparency in party funding and candidate selection are essential.
The Commission must ensure that data on candidate backgrounds is widely disseminated through print and digital media after nominations and displayed at polling stations. Additionally, political parties should announce candidate lists at least three months before elections, giving voters adequate time for scrutiny. These reforms are critical to restoring trust in the electoral system and ensuring an informed electorate.
Disclaimer: Data in this article is presented in good faith to inform voters, based on candidates' affidavits obtained from the ECI website (www.eci.gov.in, https://affidavit.eci.gov.in/)
Dr. Shakil Bhat, Member, JKAS/2019
