Balbir Verma of BJP most opulent candidate in HP

Rulling BJP sitting MLA Balvir Verma declared himself as Richest candidate in the state in the fray for third term from Chopal assembly constituency of Shimla district , Association for Democratic Reform an election watch dog stated in its first report released for ongoing assembly elections. State convenor for ADR and National Election Watch Dr. O P Bhureta said that Himachal Pradesh Election Watch and ADR have analyzed the self – sworn affidavits of all 68 Sitting MLAs in the Himachal Pradesh 2017 Assembly Elections. Analysis state that 50 ML (74 PC) are Crorepati(Multimillioner) and an average MLAs have assets of Rs 8.45 Cr . He said that BJP MLA,  Anita Dhiman of Indora(Kangra district decleared assets worth Rs 58 lakh and Balvir Verma (Bitu Verma from Chopal have decleared total assets of 90 Cr. He said that ADR urged the Election Commission of India and Chief Electrol Officer of Himachal Pradesh Election Department to highlight growth of assests in proportionate to source of income while analysising new self swron affidavit to be filled by the candidate comparing it with the previous affidavit.ADR found that 90 pc voters preferred honest and Sober candidate. The Election watch found in the survey conducted among the voters that Road and road connectivity is top Election issue followed by water, Health, Education, Employment and livilihood and Inflation figure as seventh issue among above. Stressing the need of poltical literacy ADR said that 20 per cent People are not able identified and know the name of their MLA. ADR analysed criminal cases against 68 MLA and found that 17(37pc) BJP and Two (10pc) Congresss MLA decleared criminal cases against them.Total 19(28%) MLA are with criminal background and eight (12%) with grave and serious crime cases . Six (13%) of BJP and two(10%) of Congress MLA ars with grave criminal background. He said that during upcoming Assembly Election turnout would increased by two to three percent and it may increase from present average turn out of 75 oc to 77 to 78 pc. ADR is also conducting Electoral

 literacy campaign covering more than 50,000 households in 1500 Gram Panchayats ( GPs ) and urban areas • Himachal Election Watch and ADR releases report details criminal , education , gender and financial background of 68 sitting MLAs Himachal Election Watch , Association for Democratic  Reforms ( ADR ) and Himachal Gyan Vigyan Samiti is conducting electoral literacy campaign in view of the elections to the 14th Legislative Assembly of Himachal Pradesh .  During this month – long campaign , mass dialogues are being conducted to cover more than 1500 gram panchayats with the objective of the campaign is to make people aware about the importance of voting and motivate them not to boycott voting .  As per the Supreme Court directives it is mandatory for political parties at the Central and State election level to upload on their website detailed information regarding candidates with pending criminal cases including the nature of the offenses , relevant particulars like whether charges have been framed , the concerned  Court , the case number etc.  The Supreme Court had also directed political parties to list out reasons on their website including their social media platforms for nominating candidates with criminal background within 72 hours of the selection of such candidates.  This information shall also be published in : ( a ) One local vernacular newspaper and one national newspaper ;  (b) On the official social media platforms of the political party, including Facebook & Twitter. He said that during literacy campaign it was found that 45 pc respondent voters stated that voting in the Election would not address their burning issues. ADR said that voting percentage would improve if Poltical parties and candidate would fight elections on the promise of public issues orinted agenda. The voters low turnout and buycot in some of assembly of Rampur and Kangra district also given by electrol as Poltical parties did not address their issues and many of the elected candidates goes in the field once in five years to seek votes. The ADR said that the will of poltical parties and candidate are essential to increase turn out by highlighting popular issue during the election.He said that ADR also interviewed First voters of world largest democracy who promised to votes at the age of 106yrs.ADR have launched a campaign ‘Mere vote Himachal Kai Liya’ with appeal of Shyam Saran Negi who voted for first time in October 1951 for first General Parliamentary Election.