Delimitation Commission holds meeting

On May 28, 2020, the Delimitation Commission held a meeting to review the progress of directions that were provided during its meet in April, 2020.

Highlights

• The details of State Election Commissioner were received from the states of Manipur, Andhra Pradesh, Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir and Assam. 
• The Census data has also been received from the Registrar General.

What is Delimitation?

• Delimitation is the act of redrawing the boundaries of state assembly and Lok Sabha seats with respect to the changes in population. 
• The main objective of delimitation is to provide equal representatives in the legislative assembly and parliament to equal segments of population.
• The Delimitation is conducted by the Delimitation Commission.

Delimitation Commission

• The Delimitation Act is brought about by the Parliament after every census under Article 82. 
• The commission is made of Supreme Court Judge, Chief Election Commissioner and also state election commissioners of respective states.
• The Delimitation exercise has been done four times. 
• They were implemented in 1952, 1963, 1973 and 2002. 
• The Last delimitation exercise was begun in 2002 and ended in 2008 based on 2001 census.

Why no delimitation in recent past?

• The number of Lok Sabha seats allotted to a state is based on the ratio between that number and population of the state. 
• However, under this provision, the states that took less interest in population control ended up having greater representations.
• In 1976, during emergency period, the delimitation was suspended till 2001. 
• This was later extended to 2026. 
• Thus, recently no delimitation was carried in recent past.