The Story So Far
Debate has resurfaced after Tamil Nadu’s Chief Minister raised concerns about delimitation, the process of fixing seats and boundaries for Lok Sabha and State Assemblies.
Delimitation will be based on the first Census after 2026, but the 2021 Census, delayed due to COVID-19, has yet to begin.
Constitutional Provisions
Delimitation is the process of determining the number of seats and territorial boundaries for constituencies, carried out by the Delimitation Commission.
Previous Delimitations: Based on the 1951, 1961, and 1971 Censuses.
The Lok Sabha has been capped at 543 seats since 1971, despite population growth, to encourage population control.
Southern States could lose 5% of their share, reducing their political significance despite managing population control.
Possible Solution
One Citizen, One Vote Principle: Democracy relies on equal representation, but the principle has been diluted since 1976 to promote population control.
In the U.S., the House of Representatives has remained at 435 seats since 1913, despite population growth, maintaining proportionality.
Proposal:
Keep the Lok Sabha at 543 MPs to maintain balance and uphold federalism.
Adjust the number of MLAs in States based on population growth to ensure democratic representation.
Action:
MPs, especially from the southern and smaller States, should push for a cap on Lok Sabha seats to protect their political interests while addressing democratic representation through State-level adjustments.
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