Delimitation and Allocation Process

Reservation in Constituencies

In the First Past the Post (FPTP) electoral system, the candidate with the highest number of votes in a constituency wins the election. However, this system may disadvantage smaller social groups, particularly in a diverse society like India with a history of caste-based discrimination. To address this issue, the Constitution makers opted for reserved constituencies instead of separate electorates. Unlike separate electorates, where only voters from a specific community can elect a representative from that community, reserved constituencies allow all voters to participate in elections, but candidates must belong to the designated community or social group....

Historical Context and Rationale

Before independence, the British introduced the concept of ‘separate electorates’ to address issues of representation for certain communities. However, this approach was deemed inadequate by many members of the Constituent Assembly, leading to the adoption of reserved constituencies instead....

Reservation for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes

The Constitution of India provides for the reservation of seats in the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies for Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST). Initially introduced for a period of ten years, this provision has been extended through successive constitutional amendments....

Delimitation and Allocation Process

The allocation of reserved constituencies is determined by an independent body known as the Delimitation Commission. Appointed by the President of India in collaboration with the Election Commission, this commission is tasked with drawing the boundaries of constituencies across the country....

Considerations and Rotational Policy

For Scheduled Castes, the Delimitation Commission not only prioritizes constituencies with higher SC populations but also ensures their distribution across different regions of the state. This geographic spread aims to reflect the even distribution of the Scheduled Caste population....

Expanding Reservation: Demand for Women’s Representation

While the Constitution currently reserves seats for SCs and STs, there is growing advocacy for similar reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies....

Conclusion

In essence, the concept of reserved constituencies serves as a crucial mechanism for promoting inclusivity and ensuring the representation of marginalized communities in India’s electoral democracy. As the country continues to evolve, discussions on expanding reservation to other disadvantaged groups reflect the ongoing pursuit of equitable and representative governance....

Reservation in Constituencies- FAQs

What are reserved constituencies in the Indian electoral system?...