“DECRIMINALIZING POLITICS

BY MEANS
OF ELECTORAL REFORMS”

Submitted by

S.VIJAY LESHANTH
Reg. No. BC0150032
S. SHINY ANGEL
Reg. No. BA0150041

Submitted to
Mr. S. MOHAMMED AZAAD
Assistant Professor

TAMIL NADU NATIONAL LAW UNIVERSITY

(A State University established by Act No. 9 of 2012)
Tiruchirappalli
Tamil Nadu – 620 027
SEPTEMBER – 2019
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S. VIJAY LESHANTH
Reg. No. BC0150032
5th Year – B.Com., LLB. (Hons.)
Tamil Nadu National Law University
Tiruchirappalli
Tamil Nadu – 620 027

DECLARATION

I, S. VIJAY LESHANTH, do hereby declare that the project entitled

“DECRIMINALIZING POLITICS BY MEANS OF ELECTORAL REFORMS”

submitted to Tamil Nadu National Law University in partial fulfilment of requirement

for award of degree in Under Graduate in Law to Tamil Nadu National Law School,

Tiruchirappalli, is my original research work. It and has not been formed basis for

award of any degree or diploma or fellowship or any other title to any other candidate

of any university.

Counter Signed Signature of the Candidate

Project Guide

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 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
At the outset, I take this opportunity to thank my Professor. Mr. S.

MOHAMMED AZAAD, from the bottom of my heart who have been of immense

help during moments of anxiety and torpidity while the project was taking its crucial

shape.

Secondly, I convey my deepest regards to the Vice Chancellor KAMALA

SANKARAN and the administrative staff of TNNLS who held the project in high

esteem by providing reliable information in the form of library infrastructure and

database connections in times of need.

Thirdly, the contribution made by my parents and friends by foregoing their

precious time is unforgettable and highly solicited. Their valuable advice and timely

supervision paved the way for the successful completion of this project.

Finally, I thank the Almighty who gave me the courage and stamina to confront

all hurdles during the making of this project. Words aren’t sufficient to acknowledge

the tremendous contributions of various people involved in this project, as I know

‘Words are Poor Comforters’. I once again wholeheartedly and earnestly thank all the

people who were involved directly or indirectly during this project making which

helped me to come out with flying colours.

S. VIJAY LESHANTH.

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 TABLE OF CONTENTS

Contents
DECLARATION ......................................................................................................................................... 2
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT ............................................................................................................................. 3
TABLE OF CONTENTS............................................................................................................................... 4
INDEX OF AUTHORITIES ........................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................ Error! Bookmark not defined.
METHODOLOGY ....................................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
OBJECTIVES: ......................................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
SCOPE AND LIMITATION: ..................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
SOURCES: ............................................................................................. Error! Bookmark not defined.
RESEARCH QUESTIONS: ....................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
CRIMINALS, POLITICIANS AND CRIMINALIZATION IN POLITICS ............... Error! Bookmark not defined.
“CRIMINALISATION A THREAT TO DEMOCRACY” ................................ Error! Bookmark not defined.
ELECTORAL REFORMS .............................................................................. Error! Bookmark not defined.
ANALYSIS OF CRIMINAL BACKGROUND OF CANDIDATES OF LOK SABHA ELECTION 2019 PHASE 1
................................................................................................................. Error! Bookmark not defined.
MAJOR PARTY WISE CANDIDATES WITH CRIMINAL BACKGROUND .... Error! Bookmark not defined.
SHARE OF WEALTH AMONG THE CANDIDATES ....................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
DETAILED ANALYSIS ON CANDIDATES WHO HAVE DECLARED CRIMINAL CASES: .... Error! Bookmark
not defined.
COMPARISON BETWEEN 2009 LOK SABHA CANDIDATES AND 2019 LOK SABHA CANDIDATES Error!
Bookmark not defined.
ELECTION COMMISSION’S MEASURES AND RECOMMENDATIONS: ....... Error! Bookmark not defined.
CHALLENGES BEFORE THE ELECTION COMMISSION: .......................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
MONEY POWER:............................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
MUSCLE POWER:.............................................................................. Error! Bookmark not defined.
BOOTH CAPTURING: ........................................................................ Error! Bookmark not defined.
MISUSE OF GOVERNMENT MACHINERY: ......................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
CRIMINALISATION OF POLITICS: ...................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
NON-SERIOUS CANDIDATES IN POLITICAL PARTIES:........................ Error! Bookmark not defined.
INITIATIVES OF ELECTION COMMISSION: ............................................ Error! Bookmark not defined.
RECOMMENDATIONS: ......................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
CONCLUSION:........................................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.

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