A significant 23% of the candidates have disclosed that serious criminal charges, including murder, rape, and attempted murder, are pending against them, it said.

In the upcoming Jharkhand Assembly elections, the richest candidate, Aquil Akhtar, boasts a staggering ₹400 crore in assets, while others declare as little as ₹100. This stark contrast highlights the wealth disparity among candidates as the state prepares for a pivotal electoral battle.

The ADR report reveals that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has fielded the most number of crorepati candidates -- 32 -- in the Phase 2, followed by Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), Congress and other parties. However, while 72 per cent of BJP's Phase 2 ...

The outcome will decide the fate of 683 candidates vying for legislative seats, including 17 general seats, 20 reserved for Scheduled Tribes, and six for Scheduled Castes.

Jharkhand witnessed a 64.8% voter turnout in the first phase of assembly elections, exceeding the 2019 figure. Tribal areas showed strong support for the ruling JMM, while urban centers like Ranchi and Jamshedpur saw lower participation.