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In News
- Recently, the Election Commission of India has begun the process of delimitation of Assembly and Parliamentary constituencies in Assam.
More about the news
- About delimitation exercise in Assam:
- About:
- The last delimitation of constituencies in Assam was done on the basis of census figures of 1971 by the then Delimitation Commission in 1976.
- In March 2020, the Centre notified a Delimitation Commission for Jammu and Kashmir, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur and Nagaland.
- Mandate:
- Section 8A of the Representation of the People Act allows for the delimitation of Parliamentary and Assembly constituencies in Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur or Nagaland.
- Status of Population:
- In 1971, Assam’s population was 1.46 crore.
- In 2001, it increased to 2.66 crore and to 3.12 crore in 2011.
- Status of current representation:
- The State has 14 Lok Sabha, 126 Assembly and seven Rajya Sabha seats.
- The term of the current Assam Legislative Assembly will end on May 20, 2026.
- About:
- EC’s process & directives:
- The process will be based on Census data from 2001.
- During the delimitation exercise, the Commission will consider the following things:
- The physical features,
- Existing boundaries of administrative units,
- Facility of communication,
- Public convenience and
- As far as practicable, the constituencies will be kept as geographically compact areas.
- The EC also issued a directive banning the creation of new administrative units in the state with effect from January 1 next year until completion of the delimitation exercise in the state.
- Issues & criticisms:
- The state Opposition is questioning why the delimitation exercise is being done on the basis of the 2001 Census, and not the 2011 Census.
- According to critics, the 2011 Census figures are available and the 2021 Census process must also be accounted for to conduct the delimitation process.
- Concerned Pressure Groups opined to stop the delimitation till the NRC is final.
- The state Opposition is questioning why the delimitation exercise is being done on the basis of the 2001 Census, and not the 2011 Census.
- EC’s response:
- As mandated under Article 170 of the Constitution, census figures (2001) shall be used for the purpose of readjustment of Parliamentary and Assembly Constituencies in the State.
- Reservation of seats for the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes will be provided as per Articles 330 & 332 of the Constitution of India.
More about the Delimitation Commission:
- About:
- The Delimitation Commission in India is a high-power body whose orders have the force of law.
- Its orders cannot be called in question before any court.
- These orders come into force on a date to be specified by the President of India on this behalf.
- The copies of its orders are laid before the House of the People and the State Legislative Assembly concerned, but no modifications are permissible therein by them.
- Constitutional Provisions:
- Article 82: This provides the Parliament with the authority to enact a Delimitation Act after every Census.
- Article 170: This provides for the States to get divided into territorial constituencies as per the Delimitation Act after every Census.
- Functions:
- To determine the number and boundaries of constituencies in a way that the population of all seats, so far as practicable, is the same.
- Identifying seats reserved for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes wherever their population is relatively large.
- In case of difference of opinion among members of the Commission, the will of majority prevails.
- Composition:
- The Delimitation Commission is appointed by the President of India includes following members:
- Retired Supreme Court judge
- Chief Election Commissioner
- Respective State Election Commissioners.
- Frequency:
- In India, such Delimitation Commissions have been constituted 4 times:
- In 1952 under the Delimitation Commission Act, 1952
- In 1963 under Delimitation Commission Act, 1962
- In 1973 under Delimitation Act, 1972
- In 2002 under Delimitation Act, 2002.
National Register of Citizens (NRC)
NRC in Assam
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Source: IE
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