For holding direct elections to
the Lok Sabha, each state is divided into territorial constituencies, in such a
way that, uniformity of representation is ensured:
(a) between the different states,
and
(b) between the different constituencies in the same state.
In this respect, the Constitution
makes the following two provisions:
1. Each state is allotted a number
of seats in the Lok Sabha in such a manner that the ratio between that number
and its population is the same for all states. (This provision does not apply
to a state having a population of less than six million).
2. Each state is divided into
territorial constituencies in such a manner that the ratio between the population
of each constituency and the number of seats allotted to it is the same throughout
the state.
(The expression ‘population’ means
the population as ascertained at the preceding census of which the relevant
figures have been published).
Readjustment after each Census
After every census, a readjustment
is to be made in (a) allocation of seats in the Lok Sabha to the states, and
(b) division of each state into territorial constituencies. Parliament is
empowered to determine the authority and the manner in which it is to be made.
Accordingly, the Parliament has enacted the Delimitation Commission Acts in
1952, 1962, 1972 and 2002 for this purpose.
The 42nd Amendment Act of 1976
froze the allocation of seats in the Lok Sabha to the states and the division
of each state into territorial constituencies till the year 2000 at the 1971
level. This ban on readjustment was extended for another 25 years (ie, upto
year 2026) by the 84th Amendment Act of 2001, with the same objective of
encouraging population limiting measures.
The 84th Amendment Act of 2001
also empowered the government to undertake readjustment and rationalization of
territorial constituencies in the states based on the population figures of
1991 census. Later, the 87th Amendment Act of 2003 provided for the
delimitation of constituencies based on 2001 census and not 1991 census.
However, this can be done without altering the number of seats allotted to each
state in the Lok Sabha.
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