Guwahati, Aug 12: The Election Commission (EC) has released its final report on the delimitation of Assembly and parliamentary constituencies in Assam, maintaining a total of 126 Assembly constituencies and 14 parliamentary constituencies.
In an official statement, the EC announced that it has made revisions to the nomenclature of one parliamentary constituency and 19 Assembly constituencies. Among these, 19 Assembly and two Lok Sabha constituencies have been reserved for Scheduled Tribes (STs), while one Lok Sabha and nine Assembly constituencies have been earmarked for Scheduled Castes (SCs).
The EC considered over 1,200 representations from various sources before finalizing the report. It noted that approximately 45% of the suggestions and objections received during the process were addressed and incorporated into the final order.
The delimitation process involved redefining all Assembly and parliamentary constituencies in the state based on the 2001 Census data. The EC clarified that only the 2001 Census figures were used for this purpose.
Additionally, certain parliamentary and Assembly constituencies were assigned “paired names” such as Darrang-Udalgiri (parliamentary constituency), Hajo-Sualkuchi, Boko-Chaygaon, Nagaon-Batadraba, Bhowanipur-Sorbhog, and Algapur-Katlichera, in response to public demand.
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The number of SC-reserved Assembly seats has increased from eight to nine, while the count of ST-reserved Assembly seats has risen from 16 to 19. Moreover, the number of Assembly constituencies in the Bodoland districts has expanded from 11 to 15.
The delimitation of constituencies is a crucial process that aims to ensure fair representation in the legislative bodies. It involves reconfiguring the geographical boundaries of constituencies based on population changes over time. The goal is to achieve equitable representation for all citizens and communities within the political system.
The publication of the final delimitation report is a significant step in the electoral process, as it sets the stage for the upcoming elections with the updated distribution of constituencies. As Assam prepares to engage in democratic exercises, the revised delimitation reflects the changing demographic and social landscape of the state, ensuring that the principles of representation and participation are upheld.
Election Commission’s release of the final delimitation report for Assam underscores the commitment to a transparent, inclusive, and equitable electoral process. The adjustments made to the names and number of constituencies reflect the region’s evolving dynamics and the reserved seats for SCs and STs align with the objective of giving marginalized communities a stronger political voice. As Assam enters a new phase of its political journey, the delimitation report serves as a crucial guidepost for a democratic and representative future.
