The Supreme Court of India has raised concerns over the delay in carrying out the delimitation process in three northeastern states, questioning the Centre’s failure to implement the exercise in a timely manner. The court emphasized that the delay is affecting the democratic process and the representation of citizens in these regions.
Background:
The delimitation process, which involves redrawing electoral boundaries to ensure fair representation based on population changes, has been pending in the northeastern states of Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, and Manipur. The Supreme Court took note of the fact that despite the constitutional mandate, the Centre has not yet initiated the process, leading to concerns over the validity of the current electoral arrangements.
Court’s Rationale:
The Supreme Court observed that the delay in delimitation undermines the principle of equal representation and asked the Centre to provide an explanation for the delay. The court stressed the importance of conducting delimitation in a transparent and timely manner to ensure that the electoral boundaries accurately reflect the population demographics and uphold democratic integrity.
Existing Measures:
While delimitation exercises have been carried out in most parts of India, the northeastern states have seen significant delays due to various logistical and political challenges. The Supreme Court’s intervention is a reminder to the government to prioritize the completion of this crucial exercise.
Conclusion:
The Supreme Court’s questioning of the Centre’s delay in carrying out the delimitation process in the northeastern states serves as a call for timely action. It underscores the need for swift measures to ensure proper electoral representation and the strengthening of democratic practices in these regions.