Exploring the Delimitation Process for Indian Elections
Understanding the delimitation exercise | Explained
The Hindu
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The delimitation of constituencies for the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies in India will occur after the first Census post-2026. This process, mandated by the Constitution, involves adjusting the number of seats and boundaries based on population data, including reservations for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.
- 01Delimitation adjusts constituency boundaries and seat numbers based on Census data.
- 02The next delimitation will follow the first Census after 2026.
- 03The process is governed by Articles 82 and 170 of the Indian Constitution.
- 04The Delimitation Commission, established by Parliament, conducts this exercise.
- 05Previous delimitation exercises occurred after the 1951, 1961, and 1971 Censuses.
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In India, the delimitation of constituencies for the Lok Sabha (House of the People) and State Legislative Assemblies will be conducted following the first Census after 2026. Delimitation refers to the process of determining the number of seats and the boundaries of constituencies based on population data. This includes setting aside seats for Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) as required by the Constitution. Articles 82 and 170 mandate that the number of seats in the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies be readjusted after each Census. The exercise is carried out by the Delimitation Commission, which is established by an act of Parliament. Previous delimitation exercises were conducted after the 1951, 1961, and 1971 Censuses, ensuring that representation in the legislature reflects the population distribution.
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The delimitation process will affect political representation and electoral dynamics across India, ensuring that constituencies are aligned with population changes.
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