The implications of Articles 82 and 170 of the Constitution on delimitation are significant, as they mandate the readjustment of seat allocation in the Lok Sabha and state legislative assemblies after each census. This process aims to ensure equal representation by redrawing boundaries to account for changes in population .
Key Provisions and Their Implications
- Article 82: Empowers Parliament to readjust seat allocation in the Lok Sabha after each census, ensuring proportional representation.
- Article 170: Deals with the composition of state legislative assemblies, requiring a minimum of 60 members and a maximum of 500, with adjustments made based on population changes.
Impact on Seat Allocation and Representation
The constitutional provisions have shaped the debate around seat allocation in several ways:
- Population-based allocation: The use of population data to allocate seats has led to concerns about underrepresentation of states with lower population growth, such as southern states.
- Delimitation Commission: The establishment of the Delimitation Commission, a high-powered committee, to carry out the exercise of delimitation has ensured a systematic approach to seat allocation.
- Freeze on seat adjustments: The 42nd Amendment deferred delimitation until after the 2026 census, effectively freezing seat adjustments until then .
Challenges and Concerns
The population-based delimitation process has raised several concerns:
- No fixed formula: The lack of a fixed formula for population-per-seat allocation has led to debates about fairness and representation.
- Regional disparities: Using only population data could skew federal balance and create regional disparities.
- Effective representation: Larger constituencies do not necessarily mean poorer representation, and local issues are better addressed through strengthened local governance.
Need for Reform
To address these concerns, there is a growing call for reform:
- Moderated criterion: Implementing a "population deflator" similar to GDP adjustments could balance growth and fair representation.
- Thoughtful reform: Parliament must debate and reform the delimitation process to avoid structural political imbalance and uphold federal values while ensuring efficient and fair representation
