Highlighting the process of delimitation in India, throw some light on the debate surrounding it in India.

Delimitation is the process of rationalization of constituencies after each census. So that equal representation of people from each constituency can be maintained (under article 82).

Process:

• After each census, the population of the country, state and district is updated.
• Parliament passes the delimitation act, Instructs the election commission to carry out the delimitation exercise.
• Election commission then redraws the constituencies to maintain almost similar ration of population to each constituency and state.

Last delimitation exercise was held in 2002 after the Parliament of the delimitation act 2002. The population it taken is based on 2001 census.

Debate surrounding delimitation:

• It was last done in 2002, since then 20 years have passed.
• Regional divide – The people that are presented by the MPs and MLAs are more in the north than south.
• Freezing of both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha in 1971 till 2026.
• Issue of law representation of Southern states as compared to northern states in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.
• Capability of the election commission to draw boundaries for constituencies.
• Politicization in redrawing the constituencies to favour certain political parties.
• If delimitation is done at present in states like UP and Bihar, the constituency will be very small geographically.

Thus the debate on delimitation is wide-ranging. There are reasons to both support and counter the delimitation exercise. Further the consensus of all stakeholders needs to be incorporated before making a decision.