Delimitation

Why in news?

• Many politicians of the Southern States are raising voices over Delimitation of constituencies based on population, which they consider to be unfair.
• Southern states that followed population control policies are now facing potential disadvantages despite their success in controlling population growth.

About Delimitation:

• Delimitation means the act or process of fixing limits or boundaries of territorial constituencies in a country or a province having a legislative body.
• Delimitation for Lok Sabha and Legislative Assembly is different from that of Local bodies.
• The Delimitation Commission Act was enacted in 1952.
• The Delimitation Commission is appointed by the President of India and works in collaboration with the Election Commission of India (ECI).
• Delimitation Commissions have been set up four times — 1952, 1963, 1973 and 2002 under the Acts of 1952, 1962, 1972 and 2002.
• The first delimitation exercise was carried out by the President (with the help of the Election Commission) in 1950-51.

Need:

• To provide equal representation to equal segments of a population.
• Fair division of geographical areas so that one political party doesn’t have an advantage over others in an election.
• To follow the principle of “One Vote One Value”.

Constitutional Provisions:

• Under Article 82, the Parliament enacts a Delimitation Act after every Census.
• Under Article 170, States also get divided into territorial constituencies as per Delimitation Act after every Census.

Add ons:

• To know about delimitation commission please visit: https://ilearncana.com/details/Delimitation-Commission/4097

PRACTICE QUESTION:

With reference to the Delimitation Commission, consider the following statements:

1. The orders of the Delimitation Commission cannot be challenged in a Court of Law.

2. Constitution empowers the Parliament to enact a Delimitation Act after every census.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer