Delimitation Commission of India
Encyclopedia
Delimitation commission or Boundary commission of India
is a Commission established by Government of India
under the provisions of the Delimitation Commission Act. The main task of the commission is to redraw the boundaries
of the various assembly
and Lok Sabha
constituencies based on a recent census
. The representation from each state is not changed during this exercise. However, the number of SC and ST seats in a state are changed in accordance with the census.
The Commission is a powerful body whose orders cannot be challenged in a court of law. The orders are laid before the Lok Sabha and the respective State Legislative Assemblies. However, modifications are not permitted.
The government had suspended delimitation in 1976 until after the 2001 census so that states' family planning programmes would not affect their political representation in the Lok Sabha. This had led to wide discrepancies in the size of constituencies, with the largest having over three million electors, and the smallest less than 50,000.
of the Supreme Court of India
as its Chairperson. The Commission has submitted its recommendations. On December 2007, the Supreme Court of India
on a petition issued notice to the central government for non implementation. On 4 January 2008, the CCPA decided to implement the order from the Delimitation commission . The recommendations of the delimitation commission was approved by the President
, Pratibha Patil
on 19 February 2008. This means that all future elections in India for states covered by the commission will be held under the newly formed consistencies.
The assembly elections in Karnataka
which were conducted in three phases in May 2008 is the first one to use the new boundaries as drawn by the 2002 delimitation commission.
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
is a Commission established by Government of India
Government of India
The Government of India, officially known as the Union Government, and also known as the Central Government, was established by the Constitution of India, and is the governing authority of the union of 28 states and seven union territories, collectively called the Republic of India...
under the provisions of the Delimitation Commission Act. The main task of the commission is to redraw the boundaries
Boundary delimitation
Boundary delimitation, or simply delimitation, is the term used to describe the drawing of boundaries, but is most often used to describe the drawing of electoral boundaries, specifically those of precincts, states, counties or other municipalities...
of the various assembly
Legislative Assembly
Legislative Assembly is the name given in some countries to either a legislature, or to one of its branch.The name is used by a number of member-states of the Commonwealth of Nations, as well as a number of Latin American countries....
and Lok Sabha
Lok Sabha
The Lok Sabha or House of the People is the lower house of the Parliament of India. Members of the Lok Sabha are elected by direct election under universal adult suffrage. As of 2009, there have been fifteen Lok Sabhas elected by the people of India...
constituencies based on a recent census
Demographics of India
The demographics of India are inclusive of the second most populous country in the world, with over 1.21 billion people , more than a sixth of the world's population. Already containing 17.5% of the world's population, India is projected to be the world's most populous country by 2025, surpassing...
. The representation from each state is not changed during this exercise. However, the number of SC and ST seats in a state are changed in accordance with the census.
The Commission is a powerful body whose orders cannot be challenged in a court of law. The orders are laid before the Lok Sabha and the respective State Legislative Assemblies. However, modifications are not permitted.
Past Commissions
Delimitation commissions have been set up four times in the past - In 1952, 1963, 1973 and 2002 under Delimitation Commission acts of 1952, 1962, 1972 and 2002.The government had suspended delimitation in 1976 until after the 2001 census so that states' family planning programmes would not affect their political representation in the Lok Sabha. This had led to wide discrepancies in the size of constituencies, with the largest having over three million electors, and the smallest less than 50,000.
Commission of 2002
The recent delimitation commission was set up on 12 July 2002 after the 2001 census with Justice kuldeep singh, a retired JudgeJudge
A judge is a person who presides over court proceedings, either alone or as part of a panel of judges. The powers, functions, method of appointment, discipline, and training of judges vary widely across different jurisdictions. The judge is supposed to conduct the trial impartially and in an open...
of the Supreme Court of India
Supreme Court of India
The Supreme Court of India is the highest judicial forum and final court of appeal as established by Part V, Chapter IV of the Constitution of India...
as its Chairperson. The Commission has submitted its recommendations. On December 2007, the Supreme Court of India
Supreme Court of India
The Supreme Court of India is the highest judicial forum and final court of appeal as established by Part V, Chapter IV of the Constitution of India...
on a petition issued notice to the central government for non implementation. On 4 January 2008, the CCPA decided to implement the order from the Delimitation commission . The recommendations of the delimitation commission was approved by the President
President of India
The President of India is the head of state and first citizen of India, as well as the Supreme Commander of the Indian Armed Forces. President of India is also the formal head of all the three branches of Indian Democracy - Legislature, Executive and Judiciary...
, Pratibha Patil
Pratibha Patil
Pratibha Devisingh Patil is the 12th President of the Republic of India and first woman to hold the office. She was sworn in as President of India on 25 July 2007, succeeding Dr. A.P.J...
on 19 February 2008. This means that all future elections in India for states covered by the commission will be held under the newly formed consistencies.
The assembly elections in Karnataka
Karnataka
Karnataka , the land of the Kannadigas, is a state in South West India. It was created on 1 November 1956, with the passing of the States Reorganisation Act and this day is annually celebrated as Karnataka Rajyotsava...
which were conducted in three phases in May 2008 is the first one to use the new boundaries as drawn by the 2002 delimitation commission.