Delimitation

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PLUTUS IAS
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Delimitation

• GS2 Polity Governance

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Delimitation Overview

• Delimitation is essential for equitable
  representation in India's legislative bodies,
  such as the Lok Sabha and state assemblies.
• It involves redrawing electoral boundaries and
  allocating seats based on population to prevent
  gerrymandering.
• The goal is to ensure that every person's vote
  carries a similar weight.

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Delimitation Process

• Delimitation is mandated by the Indian
  Constitution and conducted by an independent
  commission.
• The decisions made by the commission are final
  and cannot be challenged in court.
• The last delimitation exercise occurred in 2002,
  and it focused on boundary changes, not seat
  increases.
• The next delimitation should be based on the
  first Census after 2026, but the 2021 Census was
  delayed due to COVID-19.
• Delimitation can proceed based on the delayed
  2021 Census, potentially affecting the 2029
  general elections.

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Contentious Issues

• Delimitation can lead to changes in the total
  number of parliamentary and assembly seats.
• It allocates seats to states based on population
  ratios, potentially causing inter-state
  conflicts.
• It may accentuate regional disparities in
  political representation.
• Delimitation can disrupt political equilibrium
  and affect the electoral prospects of politicians
  and parties.
• Allegations of political manipulation, such as
  gerrymandering, can intensify political disputes.

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Freeze on Lok Sabha Seats

• The Lok Sabha seat count has remained at 543
  since the 1970s.
• The freeze resulted from political decisions to
  address delimitation and population control
  concerns.
• The 42nd Amendment in 1976 suspended delimitation
  until 2001, citing family planning.
• The freeze was extended in 2001 until 2026,
  assuming population policies would stabilize by
  then.

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