The Election Commission of India (ECI) has decided to initiate the delimitation exercise of Assembly and Parliamentary Constituencies in the State of Assam. It will be done as per Section 8A of the Representation of the People Act, 1950. The Ministry of Law & Justice, Government of India has requested the ECI to do the delimitation exercise.
Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar has directed the Chief Electoral Officer of Assam to take up the matter with the state Government to issue complete ban on creation of new administrative units with effect from 1st January, 2023 till the completion of delimitation exercise in the state. Census figures of 2001 will be used for the purpose of readjustment of Parliamentary and Assembly constituencies in the state.
ECI initiates delimitation of ACs & PCs in State of Assam as per Section 8A of RP Act 1950.
Census figures 2001 to be used for purpose of readjustment of ACs & PCs
Ban on creation of new administrative units in the state w.e.f. Jan 1, 2023https://t.co/a8V3qVXD3l@ceo_assam
— Election Commission of India (@ECISVEEP) December 27, 2022
Reservation of seats for the scheduled castes and scheduled tribes will be provided as per Articles 330 and 332 of the Constitution of India, noted ECI press release. The commission will design and finalize its own guidelines and methodology for the purpose of delimiting the constituencies.
During the delimitation exercise, the ECI will keep in mind the physical features, existing boundaries of administrative units, facility of communication, public convenience and as far as practicable, the constituencies will be kept as geographically compact areas.
Once a draft proposal of delimitation of constituencies in Assam is finalized by the ECI, it shall be published in the central and state gazettes inviting suggestions or 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.
Under the provisions of Delimitation Act, 1972, the last delimitation of constituencies in the State of Assam was done on the basis of census figures, 1971 by the then Delimitation Commission in 1976.