Source: IE
Context: Union Home Minister assured that no parliamentary seats will be reduced in South Indian states after the proposed delimitation exercise, countering Tamil Nadu CM concerns.
About Delimitation Exercise:
What is Delimitation?
- Delimitation refers to fixing the number of seats and defining the boundaries of parliamentary and legislative assembly constituencies in each state.
- It ensures proportional representation based on population while determining reserved seats for Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs).
Who Conducts Delimitation?
- Delimitation Commission is established under an act of Parliament.
- It is a high-powered body, whose orders cannot be challenged in any court.
- The Election Commission assists in the process.
Delimitation Commission Members:
- A retired Supreme Court judge (Chairperson).
- The Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) or an Election Commissioner nominated by the CEC.
- The State Election Commissioners of the respective states.
Constitutional Provisions on Delimitation
- Article 82: After every Census, Parliament enacts a Delimitation Act to redefine constituency boundaries.
- Article 170: States are divided into territorial constituencies as per the Delimitation Act after each Census.
- 42nd Amendment Act (1976): Froze the number of Lok Sabha seats for each state at 1971 census levels to encourage population control measures.
- 84th Amendment Act (2001): Allowed territorial adjustments based on the 1991 census without changing the number of seats.
- 87th Amendment Act (2003): Mandated delimitation based on the 2001 Census, keeping the existing seat allocation unchanged.
Delimitation in India So Far:
- Conducted four times: 1952, 1963, 1973, and 2002.
- The first exercise (1950-51) was done by the President with the help of the Election Commission.
- The last full delimitation that changed state-wise seat composition was in 1976, based on the 1971 Census.
Functions and Powers of the Delimitation Commission:
- Redrawing Constituency Boundaries: Ensures equal representation by adjusting seats based on population shifts.
- Reservation of Seats: Identifies and allocates seats for SC/ST candidates as per constitutional provisions.
- Final Authority on Delimitation: Its decisions are legally binding and cannot be challenged in any court.
- Ensuring Electoral Equality: Maintains uniform voter-to-representative ratio across constituencies.
- Improving Electoral Participation: Adjusts boundaries to avoid voter disparity and ensure fair elections.
