Election Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2016

In February 2016, Lok Sabha has passed the Election Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2016 as a follow up to the 100th amendment act of the constitution.

The historic land boundary agreement signed between India and Bangladesh had altered the geography and demography of the district of Cooch Behar in West Bengal. Under this agreement, 51 Bangladeshi enclaves (Chhitmahals) were added in the Indian Territory and 111 Indian enclaves in Bangladesh territory. Since the newly acquired area has become the part of Indian territory, it was necessary to make delimitation exercise within the limited constituency area of Cooch Behar before the ensuing 2016 West Bengal State Assembly elections. The proposed amendment will change section 9 of the Representation of the People Act, 1950 and section 11 of the Delimitation Act, 2002. These amendments will give voting rights to people who became Indian citizens following the exchange of enclaves between India and Bangladesh. Amendment of Delimitation Act, 2002 will enable Election Commission of India (ECI) to carry out limited delimitation of Assembly and Parliamentary Constituencies in the Cooch Behar District of West Bengal.