What triggers delimitation?
- 2027 Census is expected to trigger the next major delimitation exercise.
- Under the Constitution, fresh delimitation can take place after publication of the relevant Census data.
- The present distribution of Lok Sabha seats among States is based on 1971 Census population figures.
- The last delimitation exercise was based on the 2001 Census and its recommendations were implemented in 2008.
- The 2009 Lok Sabha elections were held using the newly drawn constituencies.
- What may happen after the 2027 Census?
Two major changes are envisaged :
- Reallocation of existing Lok Sabha seats among States/UTs based on population.
- Redrawing of individual constituencies within each State.
- Constitutional provisions
- Article 81 : Deals with composition/allocation of Lok Sabha seats.
- Article 82 : Provides for readjustment/delimitation after each Census.
- Articles 83 & 172 : Relevant to duration of Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies.
- Article 330 : Reservation of seats for SCs/STs in Lok Sabha.
- Article 332 : Reservation of seats for SCs/STs in State Assemblies.
Is a Constitutional Amendment required?
- Not necessarily.
- A fresh delimitation can proceed under the existing constitutional framework after the 2027 Census.
- An amendment would be required only if the existing constitutional provisions themselves are changed.
Why is delimitation controversial?
- Southern States such as Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh have generally achieved lower fertility and slower population growth.
- States such as Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Rajasthan have experienced relatively higher population growth.
- If seats are allocated strictly according to current population, northern/high-population States could gain Lok Sabha seats, while some southern States could lose their relative share.
- Representation vs population control
- In 1967, an MP represented roughly 4 lakh electors in some major States.
- Today, an MP from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar represents roughly 99 lakh electors, while an MP from Kerala represents around 64 lakh electors.
- This imbalance is partly the result of decisions taken in 1976 and 2001 to freeze/restrict redistribution of Lok Sabha seats among States.
- Women’s Reservation
- The article notes that the implementation of one-third reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies is linked to the delimitation process.
Thus, after delimitation :
- Seats will be redistributed.
- Constituencies will be redrawn.
- One-third of seats are to be reserved for women, as provided under the constitutional framework for women’s reservation.
Can delimitation be completed before the 2029 Lok Sabha election?
- Possibly, but there is uncertainty.
- The previous Delimitation Commission was set up in 2002.
- Its recommendations followed the 2001 Census and were implemented in 2008.
- The process therefore took several years.
- Completing a fresh exercise before the 2029 Lok Sabha elections would require a relatively rapid process.
How will seats be allocated?
Think of India as a large family :
- Each State = a family unit.
- Population = number of family members.
- Lok Sabha seats = land available to each family.
- If some States’ populations grow much faster than others, allocating seats purely according to population would give them a larger share of representation.
This creates a tension between :
- Federalism → States should retain a reasonable share of representation.
- Democracy → Each person’s vote should have approximately equal value.
What is Gerrymandering?
- Gerrymandering means deliberately designing electoral constituency boundaries to influence electoral outcomes.
Two important techniques :
1. Cracking
- A party’s supporters are spread across several constituencies.
- Their votes become insufficient to win any constituency.
2. Packing
- A party’s supporters are concentrated into a few constituencies.
- They win those seats by large margins, resulting in many “wasted” votes.
