Stats IQ: Criminalization of Politics

Context: The recent crimes in Lucknow bring back the notion of deep-rooted phenomenon of Criminalization of Politics in Indian Political system.

About Criminalization of Politics

• It means the participation of criminals in politics. People with criminal background contest in the election and get selected as a Member of Parliament or state legislature.
• In a democratic country like India, the increasing nexus between criminals and politics threatens the survival of true democracy.
• The increasing percentage of members of parliament who have a criminal background:
• 2004- 24%
• 2009-30%
• 2014-34%
• 2019-43%
• Nearly 50% of MPs in 2019 Lok Sabha have criminal records.
• The increasing number of members with criminal records in parliament threatens the survival of any true democracy.

Reason behind the Criminalization of Politics

• Increasing nexus between politicians and bureaucracy.
• The increasing interference of politicians in administration.
• At the time of the election, political parties spend a huge sum of money buying the votes for another illegitimate purpose.
• Poor Governance: It plays an important role in increasing the criminalization of politics. It doesn’t have the proper laws and rules for governing the procedure of the election.

Way Forward

• Law Commission 179^th report on criminalization of politics
• It recommended an amendment to the Representation of people act 1951.
• It suggested the people with criminal backgrounds should be disqualified for five years or until acquittal.
• It recommended that the person who wants to contest the election must furnish details regarding any pending case, with the copy of the FIR/complaint, and also furnish details of all assets.

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