In pursuance of the request received from the Ministry of Law & Justice, Government of India, the Election Commission of India has decided to initiate the delimitation exercise of Assembly and Parliamentary Constituencies in the State of Assam as per Section 8A of the Representation of the People Act, 1950.
The Census figures of 2001 are to be used for the purpose of readjustment of the Assembly Constituencies and Parliamentary Constituencies in the state of Assam.
The Commission led by Chief Election Commissioner Shri Rajiv Kumar and Election Commissioners Shri Anup Chandra Pandey and Shri Arun Goel has directed the Chief Electoral Officer of Assam to take up the matter with State Government to issue a complete ban on the creation of new administrative units w.e.f. 1st January 2023 till the completion of the delimitation exercise in the State.
As mandated under Article 170 of the Constitution, census figures (2001) shall be used for the purpose of readjustment of Parliamentary and Assembly Constituencies in the State, and reservation of seats for the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes will be provided as per Articles 330 & 332 of the Constitution of India.
The Commission will design and finalize its own guidelines & methodology for the purpose of delimiting the constituencies. During the delimitation exercise, the Commission will keep in mind the physical features, existing boundaries of administrative units, facility of communication, and public convenience, and as far as practicable, the constituencies will be kept as geographically compact areas.
Once a draft proposal for the delimitation of constituencies in the State of Assam is finalized by the Commission, it shall be published in the Central and State Gazettes for inviting suggestions/objections from the general public.
Joint Director (media) Anju Chandak, Election Commission of India issues a press note on 27th of December stating – Election Commission of India initiates delimitation of constituencies in Assam