In tables: Delimitation could also cut SC, ST and Muslim representation

The recent debate about delimitation has set South India against the north.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has pointed out that the process of redrawing constituency boundaries, ostensibly to ensure fair representation in keeping with rising populations, will punish the more affluent southern states.

These states have been more successful in controlling their numbers, so they would have a lower proportion of representatives in Parliament than the more populous northern states if delimitation is conducted in line with results of the next census.

But it is not just southern states that will lose out. A look at the manner in which delimitation has previously been undertaken shows that the representation of Dalits and Muslims could also be reduced.

What is delimitation?

Articles 82 and 170 of the Constitution say that the number of seats in the Lok Sabha and state legislative assemblies should be readjusted after each census. This delimitation process is performed by the Delimitation Commission, which was set up under an act of Parliament.

The delimitation process also determines whether a constituency will be reserved for members of the Scheduled Castes or Scheduled Tribes.

Constituencies were redrawn after the 1951, 1961, and 1971 census operations. However, in 1976, the process was stalled for the next 25 years to encourage population control programmes. It...