DELIMITATION

GS2 – GOVERNANCE

DELIMITATION in India refers to the process of redrawing the boundaries of electoral constituencies to ensure fair representation in the Parliament and State Legislative Assemblies. This process is crucial for maintaining the principle of “one person, one vote,” ensuring that each constituency has a roughly equal population.

Legal Framework:

• Constitutional Provisions: Article 82 of the Indian Constitution mandates the Parliament to enact a Delimitation Act after every census. Similarly, Article 170 provides for the delimitation of constituencies for State Legislative Assemblies.
• Delimitation Acts: Based on these constitutional provisions, Delimitation Commissions have been constituted four times: in 1952, 1963, 1973, and 2002. The most recent delimitation exercise was conducted under the Delimitation Act of 2002, based on the 2001 census.

Delimitation Commission:

The Delimitation Commission is an independent body established by the Government of India to carry out the delimitation process. Its orders have the force of law and cannot be challenged in any court. The Commission’s primary responsibilities include:

• Redrawing the boundaries of various assembly and Lok Sabha constituencies based on the latest census data.
• Identifying seats reserved for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.

Recent Developments:

• Freeze on Delimitation: In 1976, during the Emergency, the government suspended delimitation until after the 2001 census to promote uniform population control measures across states. This freeze was extended by the 84th Amendment to the Constitution, postponing delimitation until after the first census conducted post-2026.
• Assam Delimitation: In December 2022, the Election Commission of India announced the initiation of the delimitation process for Assembly and Parliamentary constituencies in Assam, using the 2001 census data as a reference.

Challenges and Considerations:

• Population Disparities: The freeze on delimitation has led to significant disparities in constituency sizes, with some constituencies having populations several times larger than others. This imbalance affects the principle of equal representation.
• Political Implications: Delimitation can alter the political landscape by changing constituency boundaries, potentially affecting the electoral prospects of political parties.
• Federal Balance: Adjustments in the number of seats allocated to each state can impact the federal structure, influencing the balance of power between states.