EC begins process to redraw Assam LS, assembly seats

Guwahati: The Election Commission of India (ECI) has decided to start the process of redrawing the boundaries of assembly and parliamentary constituencies in Assam, 14 years after the exercise was put on hold because of legal hurdles. The last delimitation in the state was done in 1976 based on the the 1971 census.
“In pursuance to 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,” read a statement issued by the EC on Tuesday.
The EC also directed the Assam chief electoral officer to take up the matter with the state government to issue a complete ban on creation of new administrative units in the state with effect from January 1, till the exercise is over. It stated that reservation of seats for SCs and STs will be provided as per constitutional provisions.
“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, public convenience, and as far as practicable, the constituencies will be kept as geographically compact areas,” it added.
The EC said once the draft proposal of delimitation of constituencies in Assam is finalized, suggestions and objections will be sought from the general public to expedite the exercise.The law ministry urged the EC to conduct the exercise in Assam through a letter dated November 15. Earlier this month, CM Himanta Biswa Sarma had informed the media that his government has submitted that there won’t be any deterioration of law and order in the state if the exercise begins.