Delimitation in Assam: EC to use 2001 census figures

The move to redraw the assembly and parliamentary seats in Assam has been initiated following a request from the Union Law Ministry

NEW DELHI | Updated: 27 December, 2022 9:19 pm IST

The Commission will design and finalise its own guidelines and methodology for the purpose of delimiting the constituencies

The Election Commission has initiated the delimitation of assembly and parliamentary constituencies in Assam and will be using the 2001 census figures for the readjustment of seats, the poll panel said on Tuesday.

“Under the provisions of the Delimitation Act, 1972, the last delimitation of constituencies in Assam was effected on the basis of 1971 census figures by the then Delimitation Commission in 1976,” the Commission said in a statement.

The move to redraw the assembly and parliamentary seats of Assam as per Section 8A of the Representation of the People Act, 1950, has been initiated following a request from the Union Law Ministry.

“The Commission, led by Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar and Election Commissioners Anup Chandra Pandey and Arun Goel, has directed the Chief Electoral Officer of Assam to take up the matter with the state government to issue a complete ban on the creation of new administrative units with effect from January 1, 2023, till the completion of delimitation exercises in the state,” the Commission said.

“Census figures (2001) shall be used for the purpose of readjustment of parliamentary and assembly constituencies in the state, as mandated by Article 170 of the Constitution. Reservation of seats for the scheduled castes and scheduled tribes will be provided as per Articles 330 and 332 of the Constitution of India,” the poll panel said.

The Commission will design and finalise its own guidelines and methodology for the purpose of delimiting the constituencies.

During the delimitation exercise, the Commission will keep in mind the physical features, existing boundaries of administrative units, facilities of communication, and public convenience, and as far as practicable, the constituencies will be kept as geographically compact areas, it said.

It also said that once a draft proposal for the delimitation of constituencies is finalised by the Commission, it will be published in the central and state gazettes to invite suggestions and objections from the general public.

“In this regard, a notice will also be published in two vernacular newspapers of the state, specifying the date and venue for public sittings to be held in the state,” it said.