Daily Current Affairs : 21-July-2023
The Delimitation Commission of India, also known as the Boundary Commission of India, plays a crucial role in the democratic process of the country. It is responsible for redrawing the boundaries of Lok Sabha and State Assembly constituencies based on the data from the most recent census. The aim is to ensure that each constituency has a nearly equal number of voters, promoting fair representation and a just geographical division for all political parties. In this essay, we will delve into the functions, significance, and constitutional provisions of the Delimitation Commission.
What is the Delimitation Commission of India?
The Delimitation Commission of India is a government-established commission, operating under the Delimitation Commission Act. Its primary responsibility is to redraw the boundaries of assembly and Lok Sabha constituencies. This process is carried out periodically, mainly based on the data gathered in the most recent census. The representation from each state remains constant during this exercise, ensuring that states have adequate representation in the Parliament.
Ensuring Fair Representation
The fundamental objective of the Delimitation Commission is to ensure fair representation for citizens across the country. By redistributing the constituencies based on population changes, the commission aims to provide equal voting power to each citizen. This principle of “One Vote One Value” is fundamental to a thriving democracy, as it ensures that no citizen’s vote carries more or less weight than another’s.
Freezing of Delimitation Exercise
The last delimitation exercise was carried out in 1976, where the boundaries were drawn based on the 2001 Census data. However, the number of Lok Sabha and State Assembly seats remained frozen, relying on the 1971 Census. In 2002, an amendment to the Constitution was made, freezing the delimitation exercise until the first Census conducted after the year 2026. This freeze was implemented to avoid frequent changes in constituencies and to maintain stability in the electoral system.
Constitutional Provisions
The Delimitation Commission derives its authority from specific constitutional provisions. According to Article 82 of the Indian Constitution, the Parliament enacts a Delimitation Act after every Census. This Act serves as the legal framework for the commission’s functioning, providing guidelines for the redrawing of boundaries.
Similarly, Article 170 of the Constitution mandates that states also divide their territories into constituencies following the Delimitation Act after every Census. This ensures that the states’ political representation is periodically adjusted to reflect changes in their population distribution.
Adjustment of SC and ST Seats
In addition to redrawing boundaries based on population changes, the Delimitation Commission also adjusts the seats reserved for Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) in each state. The allocation of seats for these marginalized communities is determined based on the census data, ensuring their adequate representation in the legislative bodies.
Important Points:
- The Delimitation Commission of India is responsible for redrawing the boundaries of Lok Sabha and State Assembly constituencies based on recent census data.
- Its primary objective is to ensure fair representation and follow the principle of “One Vote One Value.”
- The last delimitation exercise took place in 1976, with boundaries based on the 2001 Census, while the number of seats remained frozen from the 1971 Census.
- The Constitution was amended in 2002 to freeze the delimitation exercise until the first Census after 2026.
- The Commission derives its authority from constitutional provisions like Article 82 and Article 170, which mandate the enactment of a Delimitation Act after every Census for the Parliament and States, respectively.
- The adjustment of seats for Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) is also carried out based on the census data to ensure their representation.
- The Delimitation Commission plays a crucial role in maintaining the integrity and fairness of India’s electoral system.
Why In News
Recently, the Delimitation Commission reached a momentous decision by finalizing the Delimitation Order for the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir, ushering in a new era of balanced representation and fair electoral boundaries. This landmark step is expected to promote greater political inclusivity and empower the diverse communities within the region for years to come.
MCQs about Delimitation Commission of India
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What is the primary responsibility of the Delimitation Commission of India?
A. To conduct the Census every ten years.
B. To redraw the boundaries of constituencies based on recent Census data.
C. To freeze the number of Lok Sabha seats after every Census.
D. To establish new states in India.
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What is the significance of the “One Vote One Value” principle?
A. It ensures that every citizen has an equal number of votes.
B. It guarantees fair representation for all political parties.
C. It prevents any changes in the boundaries of constituencies.
D. It allows the Delimitation Commission to adjust seats for SC and ST.
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What constitutional provisions empower the Delimitation Commission of India?
A. Article 370
B. Article 82 and Article 170
C. Article 356
D. Article 19
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