Delimitation After 2027: Redrawing Political Power and Federal Balance in India
Former CEC S.Y. Quraishi discusses the upcoming delimitation process scheduled after the 2027 Census. Delimitation, the redrawing of electoral boundaries, has been frozen since 1976 to prevent penalizing states that successfully controlled population growth. The article highlights the potential shift in political power from southern and western states to northern states like Uttar Pradesh and Bihar due to population disparities. It explores various options, such as increasing Lok Sabha seats to 750 or 888, and emphasizes the need for a transparent process to maintain federal spirit and fair representation.
Key Points
- Delimitation is the process of redrawing electoral maps to reflect population changes.
- The 84th Amendment in 2001 extended the freeze on seat redistribution until the first census after 2026.
- Southern states fear losing political representation despite better performance in social and demographic indicators.
- The article suggests options like weighted formulas or adopting a US-style Senate model for the Rajya Sabha.
Exam Facts
- 84th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2001
- Article 82 (Delimitation after each census)
- 1971 Census (Current basis for seat allocation)
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