Delimitation Commission

Delimitation Commission

Context

Following the 84th Amendment (2001), the freeze on the total number of seats in the Lok Sabha is set to expire after 2026. Delimitation, the process of redrawing boundaries and reallocating seats based on population is expected to commence after the first census conducted post-2026.

The North-South Conflict

The core issue lies in the demographic divergence between Indian states over the last five decades:

• The "Punishment" Factor: Southern states (e.g., Kerala, Tamil Nadu) successfully implemented population control measures. Conversely, Northern states (e.g., UP, Bihar) have seen significant population growth.
• Representational Shift: A strict population-based reallocation could lead to a massive shift of political power to the North, potentially reducing the parliamentary voice of the South despite their higher contributions to GDP and social development.

Proposed Solution: Digressive Proportionality

To balance "one person, one vote" with federal stability, experts suggest borrowing from the European Union Parliament model:

• What it is: A system where smaller states are allocated more seats per capita than larger states.
• Mechanism: It ensures that while larger states still have more total seats, the ratio of seats-to-population decreases as the population increases.
• Goal: To prevent a few high-population states from completely dominating the national legislature.

Commission Structure & Powers

The Delimitation Commission is a high-power, independent body appointed by the President of India:

• Composition: * A retired Supreme Court Judge (Chairperson).
  • The Chief Election Commissioner (or an Election Commissioner).
  • State Election Commissioners of the respective states.
• Unchallengeable Authority: The orders of the Commission have the force of law and cannot be challenged in any court.
• Finality: Once its reports are laid before the Lok Sabha or State Assemblies, no modifications are permitted by the legislatures.

History of Delimitation Acts

Conclusion

The post-2026 delimitation is not merely a mathematical exercise but a significant federal challenge. Upholding democratic equality while rewarding states for successful social policies will require "constitutional creativity" and political consensus.