Of the 114 constituencies going to polls in the first two phases in Uttar Pradesh [ Images ] elections,  41 are red alert constituencies -- they have three or more candidates with criminal records.

According to the record of the candidates analysed by the Association for Democratic reforms, 36 per cent of the constituencies in the first two phases of UP polls are red alert ones.

Of the 41 red alert constituencies, 28 have three candidates with declared criminal cases.

All candidates analysed from Mehdawal constituency in Sant Kabir Nagar district have declared criminal cases in their affidavits. They include candidates from the Peace Party, Janata Dal - United, Samajwadi Party, Congress, Bahujan Samaj Party and the Bharatiya Janata Party [ Images ].

Kushi Nagar District has as many as 21 candidates with criminal cases, as mentioned in their affidavits submitted to the Election Commission.

Medhawal, Katra Bazar and Padrauna also have the dubious distinction of having several candidates with criminal records. Medhawa has six such candidates while Katra Bazar and Padrauna have five each.