Assam delimitation : Why now, what are the concerns raised
Context- The Election Commission of India said Tuesday it has begun the process of delimitation of Assembly and Parliamentary constituencies in Assam. The process will be based on Census data from 2001.
What is Delimitation?
Delimitation is the act of redrawing boundaries of Lok Sabha and state Assembly seats to represent changes in population. The main objective of delimitation is to provide equal representation to equal segments of a population. Hence, delimitation of constituencies is periodically carried out to reflect not only an increase in population but changes in its distribution.
Who carries out delimitation?
Delimitation is carried out by an independent Delimitation Commission, appointed by the Government of India under provisions of the Delimitation Commission Act. The Delimitation Commission is appointed by the President of India and works in collaboration with the Election Commission of India. It is composed of the following: a retired Supreme Court judge, the Chief Election Commissioner of India and respective State Election Commissioners.
The Constitution mandates that the Commission’s orders are final and cannot be questioned before any court as it would hold up an election indefinitely.
How is delimitation supposed to be carried out?
Under Article 82, Parliament is to enact a Delimitation Act after every Census. Once the Act is in force, the Union government sets up the Delimitation Commission.
The Commission is supposed to determine the number and boundaries of constituencies in a way that the population of all seats, so far as practicable, is the same. The Commission is also tasked with identifying seats reserved for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.
How have previous delimitation exercises actually worked?
In the history of the Indian republic, Delimitation Commissions have been set up four times — 1952, 1963, 1973 and 2002 under the Acts of 1952, 1962, 1972 and 2002. There was no delimitation after the 1981, 1991 and 2001 Censuses.
Why have we not seen delimitation exercises after each census?
The Constitution mandates that the number of Lok Sabha seats allotted to a state would be such that the ratio between that number and the population of the state is, as far as practicable, the same for all states. However, this provision meant that states that took little interest in population control could end up with a greater number of seats in the Parliament.
The fear of losing meaningful political representation was especially great in the southern states which not only had had greater success in controlling populations but also economically developed.
Why is delimitation being done in Assam alone?
During the last delimitation, which was completed in 2008, the government decided to leave out Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur and Nagaland, as well as Jammu and Kashmir. For Assam, the government cited security concerns and the potential for disturbing law and order, among others, when it put off the exercise through an order on February 8, 2008
What are the provisions regarding the Election Commission?
Under Art. 324, The Constitution provides the Election Commission of India with the power of direction, superintendence, and control of elections to parliament, state legislatures, the office of president of India and the office of vice-president of India.
(Credits- Pinterest)
Way Forward- More Discussion and Debate is needed in public domain to ensure equality of representation while acknowledging the concerns of southern states.
Source- Indian Express
NEWS- Assam delimitation: Why now, what are the concerns raised
Syllabus- GS-2; Election Commission; Delimitation
