Source: The post is based on the article “Enhancing representation, for a just electoral system” published in “The Hindu” on 14th November 2023.
Syllabus: GS2- polity- Indian Constitution- historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant provisions and basic structure.
News: This article discusses India’s political representation issues. It suggests more parliament seats, state reorganization, and changes to the election system to improve fairness and give better voice to all regions and citizens in India’s diverse democracy.
Current Political Representation in India
India has around 4,126 Members of the Legislative Assembly, 543 Lok Sabha MPs and 245 Rajya Sabha MPs.
Despite a large number of grassroots politicians and local bodies, like 1,000-plus municipal councils and approximately 238,000 panchayats, there’s a shortfall in higher-level representation.
What is Delimitation?
Delimitation is the act or process of fixing limits or boundaries of territorial constituencies in a country to reflect the changes in population. In India the task of delimitation exercise is assigned to a high-power body. Such a body is known as Delimitation Commission or a Boundary Commission.
Constitutional basis of delimitation commission
Delimitation Commission of India
For more details on delimitation exercise read here
What are the issues with Delimitation?
Delimitation could lead to regional imbalances: For instance, in the 2019 elections, each MP from Uttar Pradesh represented about three million voters, while an MP from Lakshadweep represented around 55,000 voters. This discrepancy might increase with delimitation.
Penalizing states with effective population control: As an example, Tamil Nadu and Kerala, which successfully managed their population growth, could lose seats, whereas states like Rajasthan, which saw a population increase from 25 million to 68 million (1971-2011), might gain more representation.
Risk of empowering specific national parties: The process may benefit parties dominant in the north, impacting the diverse political landscape and potentially favoring Hindi-speaking states.
Undermining diverse representation: Delimitation might reduce the influence of culturally and linguistically distinct regions, particularly in southern and northeastern India, where the political culture differs significantly.
What should be done?
Increase Parliament seats: To enhance representation, seats should increase, possibly to 848, ensuring no state loses out.
Consider factors beyond population in delimitation: Include economic, geographical, and linguistic aspects to ensure fairness.
Reform the Rajya Sabha: Each state could have an equal number of MPs, elected directly with stringent domicile requirements.
Introduce proportional representation: Similar to Australia and France, this could ensure majority support for legislators.
Establish more states: Reference the U.S. model with smaller states for better governance, suggesting an increase from 29 to potentially 50 or 75 states in India.
Empower urban local bodies: Strengthening mayoral roles and direct elections in urban areas for improved.
Question to practice
Examine the challenges and solutions proposed for improving political representation in India.
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