Early Delimitation and Women’s Quota for 2029 Polls
Context:
The Union government has signalled its intent to introduce an amendment Bill proposing an early delimitation exercise based on the 2011 Census.
This strategic move aims to ensure the implementation of the Women’s Reservation Act, 2023, well ahead of the 2029 Lok Sabha elections, effectively delinking it from the heavily delayed 2021 Decadal Census.
Proposed Changes:
Expansion of Seats:
The government's proposal outlines a substantial 50% increase in the total number of Lok Sabha constituencies, raising the count from the current 543 to 816 seats.
Women's Quota Allocation:
Out of the newly proposed 816 Lok Sabha seats, exactly 33% (or 273 seats) will be reserved for women.
A similar 50% proportional increase in total constituencies, with a corresponding 33% reservation for women, is proposed for State Legislative Assemblies (Vidhan Sabhas).
Bypassing the Delayed Census:
Currently, Article 82 of the Constitution mandates that the next delimitation exercise must be conducted based on the first Census published after the year 2026.
By bringing in fresh constitutional amendments, the government seeks to apply the older 2011 Census data instead, avoiding a wait that could push implementation beyond 2030.
Addressing Demographic Concerns:
A major point of contention, particularly from Southern States, is that population-based delimitation penalizes states that have successfully implemented population control measures.
To mitigate this, the government plans to maintain the existing proportion of seats among all States on a strict pro-rata basis.
Every state is likely to see an equal 50% rise in its political representation.
The Path Forward:
Constitutional Requirements:
Passing these sweeping amendments will necessitate a two-thirds majority in both Houses of Parliament.
Political Consultations:
To build the required consensus, the government has initiated dialogues with NDA partners and Opposition leaders.
While suggestions like a lottery system for deciding reserved seats have been floated, several Opposition parties have demanded a detailed blueprint of the proposed changes before offering their support.