Delimitation | Famous Books for UPSC Exam (Summary & Tests) PDF Download

Introduction

Delimitation, in essence, is the process of defining boundaries for territorial constituencies within a country to account for changes in population distribution. The Delimitation Commission, an impartial and independent body, is responsible for overseeing this crucial task. Its orders hold great significance as they cannot be challenged before any court, and once presented to the Lok Sabha or State Legislative Assembly, no modifications can be made. This ensures that elections are not delayed indefinitely due to disputes.

The Need for Delimitation

The primary reasons for conducting delimitation are:

• Equal Representation: To provide every segment of the population with equitable representation in the democratic process.
• Fair Division of Geographical Areas: To prevent any political party from gaining undue advantage over others by ensuring that geographical areas are justly distributed.
• One Vote One Value: Upholding the democratic principle of "One Vote One Value" by balancing the voting power of citizens across constituencies.

Composition of the Delimitation Commission

The Delimitation Commission is appointed by the President of India and collaborates with the Election Commission of India. The commission comprises a retired Supreme Court judge, the Chief Election Commissioner, and the respective State Election Commissioners.

The Delimitation Process

The process of delimitation is governed by Article 82 of the Indian Constitution for Parliament and Article 170 for States. Following each Census, the Parliament enacts a Delimitation Act, which divides the constituencies based on the Census data. Subsequently, the Union government establishes a Delimitation Commission to oversee the process.

The Delimitation Commission has been set up four times in India - in 1952, 1963, 1973, and 2002, under the respective Acts of 1952, 1962, 1972, and 2002. However, there were no delimitation exercises after the Censuses of 1981 and 1991.

Challenges in Delimitation

Despite its crucial role, delimitation faces several challenges:

• Population Control: States that do not actively engage in population control may end up with a greater number of seats in Parliament, potentially skewing the democratic process.
• Unequal Representation: Certain states that have promoted family planning may see a reduction in their seats, leading to unequal representation.
• Changing Census Data: Delimitation based on outdated Census data, such as the 2001 Census while adhering to the 1971 Census' seat allocation, can create discrepancies in representation.
• Capping the Number of Seats: The Constitution imposes a maximum limit of 550 Lok Sabha seats and 250 Rajya Sabha seats, which may result in single representatives representing increasing populations.

Conclusion

Delimitation plays a pivotal role in ensuring the democratic principles of equality and representation are upheld in India's electoral process. By providing every citizen with an equal voice, the process strives to strengthen the essence of democracy. However, addressing the challenges and maintaining the integrity of delimitation remains a continuous effort for India's vibrant democracy.