Countdown Begins for Assam Assembly Elections 2026: A Closer Look at Candidates
Election Countdown in Assam
The countdown for the assembly elections in Assam has officially commenced, with less than a week remaining until voting day. Over 700 candidates are vying for the 126 assembly seats in the state, representing a diverse array of backgrounds, including influential figures, criminals, and individuals from both affluent and impoverished communities. The list of candidates includes many with criminal records, spanning across both ruling and opposition parties.
Criminal Backgrounds of Candidates
A comprehensive analysis conducted by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) has examined the criminal, financial, educational, and other details of all 722 candidates who filed nominations for the 2026 Assam assembly elections. This report, prepared under the Assam Election Watch, reveals alarming findings. Several candidates from parties that claim to be free of tainted individuals are under scrutiny.
Criminal Cases Among Candidates
Out of the total 722 candidates, 102 have pending criminal cases against them. Approximately 14% of these candidates have acknowledged ongoing criminal trials in their election affidavits, with 11% facing serious charges. In the previous elections of 2021, 15% of the 941 candidates had criminal cases, and 12% faced serious allegations.
Criminal Cases by Party
- General Crimes
- Congress: 99 candidates, 28 with criminal cases (28%)
- BJP: 90 candidates, 8 with criminal cases (9%)
- AIUDF: 30 candidates, 11 with criminal cases (37%)
- Assam Gana Parishad: 26 candidates, 6 with criminal cases (23%)
- Raijor Dal: 13 candidates, 2 with criminal cases (15%)
- Assam Jatiya Parishad: 10 candidates, 2 with criminal cases (20%)
- CPI(ML)(L): 3 candidates, 1 with a criminal case (33%)
Serious Criminal Charges
- Congress: 29%
- BJP: 9%
- AIUDF: 30%
- AGP: 19%
Two candidates have declared cases related to crimes against women, while nine have reported attempts to murder (under Section 307). According to the ADR report, despite Supreme Court directives, parties continue to nominate candidates with criminal backgrounds, citing popularity or political strategy as justifications, which are deemed insufficient.
Wealth of Candidates
Among the 722 candidates, 285, or approximately 39%, are millionaires. This figure has risen from 28% in 2021. The total wealth of all candidates amounts to ₹2,352 crores, with an average asset value of ₹3.25 crores per candidate, an increase from ₹2.10 crores in 2021.
Millionaire Candidates by Party
- BJP: 88%
- Congress: 61%
- AIUDF: 53%
- AGP: 69%
- UPPL: 56%
- Raijor Dal: 46%
- Bodoland People's Front: 82%
- Assam Jatiya Parishad: 70%
Average Wealth by Party
- Congress: ₹6.92 crores
- BJP: ₹7.01 crores
- AIUDF: ₹9.88 crores
- Assam Gana Parishad: ₹3.38 crores
- Raijor Dal: ₹1.04 crores
- Bodoland People's Front: ₹9.33 crores
- Assam Jatiya Parishad: ₹5.46 crores
Educational Background of Candidates
45% of candidates have completed education from 5th to 12th grade, while 53% hold graduate degrees or higher. There are 12 diploma holders and 3 candidates who are only literate.
Age Distribution of Candidates
24% of candidates are aged between 25 and 40 years, while 60% fall within the 41 to 60 age range. 16% are aged between 61 and 80 years, and women constitute 8% of the total candidates, a figure consistent with 2021.
Increase in Wealth of Legislators
In the upcoming elections, 83 legislators are seeking re-election. Their average wealth has increased from approximately ₹4.17 crores in 2021 to ₹7.52 crores in 2026, marking an average growth of ₹3.34 crores over five years. The wealth of legislators has surged by nearly 80%.