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Delimitation: Key Issues and Considerations
Context:
In a public meeting, the Minister of Home Affairs assured that no state would lose seats and that the number of seats would be increased on a pro-rata basis for all states. However, it remains unclear whether this pro-rata calculation will be based on the current share of seats or the projected population.
Introduction to Delimitation:
- Delimitation refers to the process of fixing the number of seats and redrawing the boundaries of territorial constituencies for the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies.
- This exercise is conducted by the Delimitation Commission, set up by an act of Parliament.
Constitutional Provisions:
- Article 82: Provides for the readjustment of Lok Sabha seats and their division into constituencies after each Census.
- Article 170(3): Mandates the readjustment of Legislative Assembly seats in the states after every Census.
- The number of Lok Sabha seats was frozen based on the 1971 Census through the 42nd Amendment Act (1976) to encourage population control. This freeze was extended by the 84th Amendment Act (2002) until 2026.
Last Delimitation Exercise:
- Delimitation exercises were conducted based on the 1951, 1961, and 1971 Census.
- The last major delimitation in India was carried out in 1972, and the number of Lok Sabha seats has remained at 543 since then.
- The 2002 delimitation exercise only redrew constituency boundaries without altering the number of seats, based on the 2001 Census.
Issues Surrounding Delimitation:
- Uneven Population Growth: The population explosion over the last five decades has been uneven across states.
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- Northern states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan have experienced higher population growth.
- Southern states such as Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh have effectively controlled their population.
- Two Scenarios for Delimitation: Redistribution within the existing 543 seats among states.
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- Increasing the number of seats to 848 based on projected population, leading to significant gains for northern states at the expense of southern states.
- Disadvantage for Some States: If delimitation is based on projected population, it will disadvantage southern states, smaller northern states (Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand), and northeastern states.
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- The south’s share in Lok Sabha seats could decline from 24% to 19%.
- This may violate federal principles and reduce political influence of states that have successfully controlled population growth.
Role of the Census in Delimitation:
- Census data is the foundation of delimitation, determining seat allocation and constituency boundaries.
- 2021 Census, originally postponed due to COVID-19, is now delayed further, affecting the delimitation timeline.
- Southern states fear that if representation is based purely on population growth, they will be unfairly penalised despite their success in controlling population.
International Practices in Delimitation:
- United States: The House of Representatives has been capped at 435 seats since 1913, despite the population quadrupling from 9.4 crore (1911) to 34 crore (2024).
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- Seats are redistributed among states after each Census through the method of equal proportion, preventing drastic shifts in representation.
- European Union: The European Parliament follows ‘degressive proportionality’, ensuring smaller states have a fair share of seats.
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- Denmark (60 lakh population) has 15 seats (1 MP per 4 lakh people), while Germany (8.3 crore population) has 96 seats (1 MP per 8.6 lakh people).
Possible Solutions for Delimitation:
- Capping Lok Sabha Seats at 543: Given that India has managed with 543 MPs despite a population increase from 55 crore to 145 crore, capping the seats at 543 could prevent political imbalance.
- Increasing State Assembly Seats: Instead of increasing Lok Sabha seats, State Legislative Assemblies can be expanded based on the latest population figures to enhance representation at the state level.
- Strengthening Local Governance: Empowering local bodies (panchayats and municipalities) by increasing their powers and financial resources will strengthen democracy at the grassroots level.
