News
26% candidates in UP polls have declared criminal cases against themselves: ADR
As much as 26 percent of the 4,406 candidates in the ongoing Uttar Pradesh polls whose affidavits were analysed have declared criminal cases against themselves, according to a report by poll watchdog Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR). In the 2017 state elections, out of 4,823 candidates analysed, 859 cent) had declared criminal cases against themselves.
The ADR said that 889 (20 percent) candidates this year have declared “serious” criminal cases, while the number in 2017 was 704 (15 percent).
Out of the 4,406 candidates analysed in Uttar Pradesh elections 2022, 1,142 (26 percent) have declared criminal cases against themselves, it said.
Among the major parties, 65 percent (224 out of 347) of the candidcent (11 out of 19) of the Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party, 58 percent (19 out of 33) of the RLD have declared criminal cases against themselves in their affidavits.
Among other parties, 45 per cent (169 out of 374) of the candidates analysed from the BJP, 40 percent (160 out of 397) of the Congress and 38 percent (153 out of 399) of the BSP have also declared criminal cases.
Also, for the Apna Dal (Sonelal) the number was 35 percent (six out of 17), while the AAP’s 18 percent candidates (62 out of 345) have declared criminal cases against themselves in their affidavits.
The ADR said 69 candidates have declared cases related to crime crime against women — 10 of them related to rape (IPC Section-376).
The ADR said 37 candidates have declared cases related to murder (IPC Section-302) against themselves, while 159 have declared cases related to attempt to murder (IPC Section-307) against themselves.
As many as 226 (56 per cent) out of 403 constituencies are Red alert constituencies — those where three or more candidates have declared criminal cases against themselves.
cent) in the 2017 polls.
The role of money power in our elections is evident from the fact that all major political parties give tickets to wealthy candidates, the ADR said.
Among the major parties 31 of the 33 candidates (94 per cent) analysed from the RLD, 335 out of 374 (90 percent) candidates analysed from the BJP, 302 out of 347 (87 percent) candidates analysed from the SP have declared assets valued more than Rs 1 crore, the ADR said.
Also, 315 out of 399 (79 percent) candidates analysed from the BSP, 12 out of 17 candidates (71 percent) analysed from the Apna Dal (Sonelal) have declared asserts worth more than 1 crore.
This number is 13 out of 19 candidates analysed (68 percent) from the Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party, 198 out of 397 (50 percent) for the Congress and 112 out of 345 (33 percent) for the Aam Aadmi Party. – Economic Times
A specialists committee has been appointed by the Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation adhering to the decision of the Cabinet of Ministers dated 29.12.2025 for submitting appropriate recommendations analyzing the provisions of the draft bill formulation in regard to Animal Welfare.
Based on the recommendations of the said Committee, the Legal Draftsman has been instructed at the meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers held on 18.05.2026 to prepare the final bill on the animal welfare.
Wherefore, the Legal Draftsman has formulated the draft bill and the clearance of the Attorney General has been received in the connection.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the resolution furnished by the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation to publish the said draft bill in the
Government Gazette Notification and subsequently forward the same to the Parliament for its concurrence.
Under the legal provisions for elections in this country since 2004, it is mandatory for voters who come to mark their votes to verify their identity through a valid identity card, and it is also mandatory for all such voters to be marked with an appropriate mark using indelible ink. The dual purpose of these two functions is to prevent a voter from voting more than once in a single election.
It has been observed that having to follow two different
methods at the same time to achieve the same objective hinders the efficiency of the duties performed at the polling stations and also incurs additional costs to the government.
Therefore, it has been deemed appropriate to remove the legal provisions regarding the use of indelible ink and marking the voter with the appropriate mark from all election acts.
Accordingly, the development activities of the province, as well as national security, will benefit. Therefore, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the resolution furnished by the
President to take necessary steps to remove the legal provisions
• Section 36 of the presidential Election Act, No 15 of 1981
• Section 38 of the Parliamentary Election Act, No 01 of 1981
• Section 36 of the Provincial Council Election Act, No 02 of 1988
• Section 53 A of the Local Government Elections Ordinance (262 Authority)
• Section 21 of the Referendum Act No 7 of 1981
News
Showers will occur in the Western, Sabaragamuwa and North-western provinces and in Galle, Matara, Kandy and Nuwara-Eliya districts
WEATHER FORECAST FOR 24 JUNE 2026
Issued at 05.30 a.m. on 24 June 2026 by the Department of Meteorology
Several spells of showers will occur in the Western, Sabaragamuwa and North-western provinces and in Galle, Matara, Kandy and Nuwara-Eliya districts. Showers or thundershowers may occur at a few places in the Uva province and in Ampara and Batticaloa districts after 2.00 p.m.
Fairly strong winds about (30-40) kmph can be expectedat times over the Western slopes of the central hills, the Northern, North-central, North-western and Southern provinces and in Trincomalee district.
The general public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damage caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.
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Legal provisions on marking voters using indelible ink during elections removed
Showers will occur in the Western, Sabaragamuwa and North-western provinces and in Galle, Matara, Kandy and Nuwara-Eliya districts
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