GS Paper 2
Syllabus: Indian Polity
Context: The SC has directed the GoI to establish a Delimitation Commission to address the need for increased reserved seats for SCs and STs in Lok Sabha and State assemblies
What is “One Person, One Vote, One Value”?
It is a democratic principle ensuring equal voting rights for every individual, with each vote holding equal value. This concept underscores the democratic ideal of providing all citizens an equal say in decision-making processes.
Significance of One Person, One Vote, One Value:
| Significance | Description |
| Fairness in Electoral Process | Ensures everyone an equal chance to have their voice heard during elections, promoting a fair and just democratic system. |
| Prevents Discrimination: | Acts as a safeguard against discrimination based on race, gender, religion, or any other factor that could be used to exclude individuals from the electoral process. |
| Encourages Participation: | Knowing that every vote holds the same value motivates citizens to actively participate in the electoral process, fostering a more engaged and informed electorate. |
| Political Equality | Establishes political equality by providing an equal opportunity for every citizen to participate in the political decision-making process, regardless of background or identity. |
The dilution of the principle of “One person, One vote, One value” can occur through quantitative and qualitative dilution.
- Quantitative Dilution:
- Unequal weight of votes due to deviations in population among constituencies.
- Example: In U.P., an MP represents around 2.53 million people, while in Tamil Nadu, an MP represents around 1.84 million people.
- Qualitative Dilution:
- Reducing a voter’s chance to elect a preferred representative through gerrymandering.
- Techniques include cracking (dividing minority areas), stacking (submerging minorities), and packing (concentrating minorities).
- Highlighted in reports like the National Commission to Review the Working of the Constitution and the Sachar Committee Report.
- Example: Many of the Reserved seats for SCs had Muslim populations exceeding 50%, impacting Muslim representation in Parliament (currently Muslim MPs % are at 42% despite a 14.2% population).
- If the seats were not reserved, Muslim candidates could have won
Constitutional Safeguards to Avoid Dilution:
| Constitutional Safeguards | Description |
| Articles 81 and 170 of IC | Specify that the population ratio for Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assembly constituencies should be the same, as practicable. |
| Article 327 of IC | Empowers Parliament to make laws related to delimitation, and such laws are immune from being questioned in court. |
| Delimitation Commission Act 1952 and Art 329A of IC | Declare that the orders of the Delimitation Commission are final, possessing the full force of law and are immune from legal challenge. |
| Articles 330 and 332 of the IC | Guarantee the reservation of seats for SCs (Scheduled Castes) and STs (Scheduled Tribes) in Parliament and State Legislative Assemblies. |
| The government has formed delimitation commissions, with the fourth one addressing reserved constituencies and extending the moratorium until after the 2026 Census.
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What is delimitation?
It is the act of redrawing the boundaries of an Assembly or Lok Sabha seat to reflect changes in population over time, based on the most current Census data. The process may alter the number of seats in a state so that the population of all seats is as uniform as possible across the state.
Delimitation Commissions have been established four times in India’s history: 1952, 1963, 1973, and 2002 under the Acts of 1952, 1962, 1972, and 2002. The 42nd Amendment Act in 1976 froze the population figure of the 1971 Census for delimitation until the 2001 Census. In 2002, delimitation was further delayed for 25 years (until 2026) through the 84th Amendment.
Legal/constitutional provisions:
- Article 82:Following each census, the allocation of Lok Sabha seats to the states, as well as the division of each state into territorial constituencies, shall be readjusted by such authority as Parliament may by law determine.
- Section 8A of the Representation of the People Act, 1950:It allows for delimitation of Parliamentary and Assembly constituencies in Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur or Nagaland.
- Article 170 (Composition of the Legislative Assemblies): Census figures (2001) shall be used for the purpose of readjustment of constituencies in the State.
- Reservation of seats for the SCs/STs will be provided as per Articles 330 (Lok Sabha) and 332 (State Assemblies) of the Constitution.
Conclusion:
The next Delimitation Commission should address both quantitative and qualitative dilutions for fair and adequate minority representation.
Insta Links:
- Delimitation in Assam: Changes Proposed and Concerns
Mains Links:
What is delimitation? Examine its objectives and how delimitation affects the representation of the people act. (250 words)
