The Supreme Court of India has recently granted a three-month extension to the Centre for conducting the delimitation exercise in Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, and Assam. Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna brought into light concerns regarding the delays in the process, which was mandated by a presidential order in 2020. The court’s intervention comes amid ongoing violence in Manipur, complicating the situation for the Centre.
About Delimitation
Delimitation refers to the process of redrawing the boundaries of electoral constituencies. It aims to ensure fair representation based on population changes. The exercise is crucial for maintaining the principle of one person, one vote. In India, delimitation is conducted periodically to reflect demographic shifts.
Legal Framework
The delimitation process in India is governed by the Delimitation Act, 2002. This act provides the legal basis for the reallocation of constituencies based on population data. The Election Commission of India oversees the exercise, which must follow directives from the central government.
Current Situation in Northeastern States
The Supreme Court’s recent ruling marks the urgency for delimitation in Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, and Assam. Despite the 2020 presidential order, the Centre has faced challenges, particularly in Manipur due to violence. The lack of progress has raised concerns about equality in representation under Article 14 of the Constitution.
Historical Context
Delimitation has not been conducted in these northeastern states since the amendment of the Delimitation Act in 2002. This has resulted in disparities in representation compared to other regions. The last delimitation exercise in Assam was completed in August 2023, showcasing the uneven progress across states.
Implications of Delays
The delays in the delimitation process can have implications for political representation and governance. Without timely delimitation, certain regions may remain underrepresented. This can lead to a lack of adequate political voice for the citizens of these states.
Future Steps
The Centre must now expedite consultations and take necessary actions to comply with the Supreme Court’s directive. The upcoming months will be critical in determining how effectively the delimitation exercise can be implemented in these states.
Questions for UPSC:
- Examine the significance of the Delimitation Act, 2002 in the context of electoral reforms in India.
- Discuss the challenges faced by the Election Commission of India in conducting delimitation in conflict-affected areas.
- What are the implications of delayed delimitation on political representation in northeastern India? Analyse.
- Critically discuss the relationship between population changes and electoral boundaries in the context of Indian democracy.
Answer Hints:
1. Examine the significance of the Delimitation Act, 2002 in the context of electoral reforms in India.
- Established a legal framework for redrawing electoral boundaries based on population data.
- Aims to ensure fair representation and uphold the principle of “one person, one vote.”
- Facilitates periodic reviews to reflect demographic changes and population shifts.
- Empowers the Election Commission of India to oversee the delimitation process.
- Addresses disparities in representation, particularly in underrepresented regions like the Northeast.
2. Discuss the challenges faced by the Election Commission of India in conducting delimitation in conflict-affected areas.
- Security concerns hinder the ability to conduct fair assessments and consultations.
- Ongoing violence, as seen in Manipur, complicates the logistics of the delimitation exercise.
- Political instability may lead to resistance against the delimitation process from local stakeholders.
- Lack of accurate population data due to migration and conflict can affect boundary delineation.
- Need for collaboration with local authorities, which may be strained in conflict zones.
3. What are the implications of delayed delimitation on political representation in northeastern India? Analyse.
- Delays can lead to unequal representation, violating the principle of equality under Article 14.
- Underrepresentation may result in inadequate political voice and resources for affected states.
- Political power may remain concentrated in certain regions, exacerbating regional disparities.
- Long-term delays can affect voter engagement and trust in the electoral process.
- May lead to social unrest or dissatisfaction among constituents seeking fair representation.
4. Critically discuss the relationship between population changes and electoral boundaries in the context of Indian democracy.
- Electoral boundaries must reflect population shifts to ensure equitable representation.
- Changes in demographics can alter the political landscape and influence election outcomes.
- Failure to adjust boundaries may lead to overrepresentation of certain groups and underrepresentation of others.
- Delimitation acts as a tool to balance representation as populations grow or decline.
- In a diverse democracy like India, accurate delimitation is crucial for maintaining public trust and legitimacy.
