How is Delimitation Conducted – Free PDF Download

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WHAT IS DELIMITATION?

Delimitation literally means the act or process of fixing limits or boundaries of territorial constituencies in a country or a province having a legislative body.
It represents the changes in population.
In this process, the number of seats allocated to different states in Lok Sabha and the total number seats in a Legislative Assembly may also change.

To provide equal representation to equal segments of a population.
Division of geographical areas so that one political party doesn’t have an advantage over others in an election.
Delimitation is carried out by an independent Delimitation Commission.

Under Article 82, the Parliament enacts a Delimitation Act after every Census.
Once the Act is in force, the Union government sets up a Delimitation Commission.
The Constitution mandates that its orders are final and cannot be questioned before any court as it would hold up an election indefinitely.

In case of difference of opinion among members of the Commission, the opinion of the majority prevails.

To determine the number and boundaries of constituencies in a way that the population of all seats, so far as practicable, is the same.
Also, identifying seats reserved for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.

The objective of the commission is done on the basis of the latest Census.
The draft proposals of the Delimitation Commission are then published for public feedback in:-

The Commission also holds public sittings.
After hearing the public, it considers objections and suggestions and carries out changes, if any, in the draft proposal.

The final order is published in the Gazette of India and the State Gazette and comes into force on a date specified by the President.

The first delimitation exercise in 1950-51 was carried out by the President (with the help of the Election Commission), as the Constitution at that time was silent on who should undertake the division of states into Lok Sabha seats.
It was temporary in nature.
Hence, another delimitation was due after the 1951 Census.
EC advised the government that all future exercises should be carried out by an independent commission.
Hence, the Delimitation Commission Act was enacted in 1952.
After that Delimitation Commissions have been set up four times — 1952, 1963, 1973 and 2002 through different acts.