ADR Report Finds 191 Candidates with Criminal Cases Lacked Party Disclosure in 2026 Elections
An ADR report found that political parties failed to disclose reasons for selecting 191 candidates with criminal cases in the 2026 Assembly elections across Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, and Puducherry, as mandated by the Supreme Court's Format C7. While parties provided disclosures for most candidates, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry had the highest non-compliance. The BJP and Congress omitted details for several candidates, whereas the Trinamool Congress fully complied. Some parties used repetitive explanations for candidate selection despite criminal backgrounds.
First-hand measurement across 3 sources
We measured how 3 outlets covered this story. Coverage leans balanced overall (Left 18%, Centre 69%, Right 13%). Overall sentiment is negative (37/100). Lens Score 64/100.
Outlets measured: thetelegraph, thehindu, deccanherald. See how each one headlined and framed the same story in the source comparison below.
AI Analysis
All 3 outlets scored close to centre on political lean. The real divergence here is in emphasis, not lean — compare the headlines below to see how each outlet chose to frame the same facts.
Sentiment was consistent across outlets (28–48/100), indicating broadly factual reporting rather than editorialising.
Coverage timeline
deccanherald broke this story on 11 Sept, 01:05 pm. Other outlets followed.