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PATNA: Nearly one-third of the candidates in the second phase of Bihar assembly elections, scheduled for November 11, are facing criminal cases, according to a report by the poll watchdog Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR). Out of the election affidavits of 1,297 candidates analysed by the ADR, 415 (32%) have criminal cases registered against them, reports Kshitiz. Also, 341 (26%) face serious charges such as murder, kidnapping, assault and corruption. Serious offences category includes crimes punishable by five years or more of imprisonment and those that are non-bailable. In terms of education, 48% of the candidates are graduates. Nine are illiterate. According to ADR, a total of 1,302 candidates are contesting in the second phase, of which affidavits of 1,297 were analysed. A total of 19 candidates have declared cases related to murder while 79 reported cases of attempted murder, the ADR report says.
