Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam
The Government of India is preparing to implement change in the political landscape by rolling out a reservation of seats for women in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies. This initiative, known as the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, is closely tied to the delimitation exercise that will follow the upcoming Census. The aim is to ensure that one-third of the seats are reserved for women in the 2029 Lok Sabha elections.
Context of Women’s Reservation
The Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam was passed in September 2023. It mandates that one-third of seats in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies will be reserved for women. This reservation will only come into effect after a delimitation exercise based on the Census data. The Census is set to provide critical demographic information required for this process.
Importance of the Census
The upcoming Census will be conducted digitally, utilising mobile applications for data collection. It is expected to provide timely data, which will be crucial for delimitation. The Census aims to capture the population as of March 1, 2027, and will include caste enumeration. This data will help readjust the seats in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies.
Delimitation Process
Delimitation involves redrawing the boundaries of electoral constituencies. This process is mandated by Article 82 of the Constitution of India, which requires readjustment of seats after every Census. The last delimitation was based on the 1971 Census, and the current Lok Sabha reflects outdated population figures.
Concerns from Southern States
Southern states have expressed concerns regarding the potential impact of delimitation on their representation in the Lok Sabha. These states fear that increased seats for northern states could diminish their relative power. The government has assured that no southern state will lose seats on a pro-rata basis.
Legislative Requirements for Delimitation
For delimitation to occur following the next Census, Parliament must pass a Delimitation Act. This Act will establish a Delimitation Commission to oversee the process. If no new amendment is passed by 2026, the current freeze on delimitation will automatically end, allowing for adjustments based on population growth.
Constitutional Provisions
Article 81(2)(a) of the Constitution stipulates that the allocation of seats should maintain a ratio between state populations and the number of seats. This provision aims to ensure fair representation across states. Exceptions apply only to smaller states with populations below six million.
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