Question

Consider the following statements about Delimitation Commission

1. The 84th Amendment to the Constitution in 2002 had put a freeze on the delimitation of Lok Sabha

2. Delimitation Commission appointed by the Centre has to have five members

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2

Answer 1

Correct Answer - Option 1 : 1 only

The correct answer is 1 only.

In News

• A paper released by the Pranab Mukherjee Foundation (PMF) on the eve of the late President’s birth anniversary has suggested that the next delimitation exercise should be a two-step process:
  • A Delimitation Commission should be set up to redraw boundaries of constituencies on the basis of the 2031 Census.
  • A State Reorganisation Act be passed to split States into smaller ones.

• The 84th Amendment to the Constitution in 2002 had put a freeze on the delimitation of Lok Sabha and State Assembly constituencies till the first Census after 2026. Hence, Statement 1 is correct.
• While the current boundaries were drawn on the basis of the 2001 Census, the number of Lok Sabha seats and State Assembly seats remained frozen on the basis of the 1971 Census.

Composition of the Commission:

• According to the Delimitation Commission Act, 2002, the Delimitation Commission appointed by the Centre has to have three members
  • ​a serving or retired judge of the Supreme Court as the chairperson,
  • and the Chief Election Commissioner or Election Commissioner nominated by the CEC and
  • the State Election Commissioner as ex-officio members. Hence, Statement 2 is NOT correct.