An analysis by Association of Democratic Reforms and Odisha Election Watch has found that 26 out of 67 candidates with declared criminal cases won the last election to the Odisha Legislative Assembly against runners-up with a clean background.
Among the 146 seats analysed in the report, there were 38 winners with a clean background who defeated a candidate with declared criminal cases. Of these 38 winners, six won with more than 25% margin of votes.
As many as 45 candidates won with 50% and above of the total votes polled in their constituencies, while 101 candidates won with less than 50% of the total votes polled.