SC Refuses To Stay ECI’s Delimitation Process In Assam, Asks Centre To Respond To Oppn Plea

 The Supreme Court on Monday issued a notice to the Centre seeking a reply to the plea filed by nine opposition parties over the Assam delimitation. However, the top court refused to restrain the Election Commission (EC) from continuing with the delimitation exercise.

It also sought a reply from the EC on pleas challenging the delimitation exercise for Lok Sabha and assembly seats in Assam.

A draft proposal was passed by the Election Commission recently for the delimitation of Assam’s 126 Assembly constituencies and 14 Lok Sabha constituencies.

While the Supreme Court refused to stay the ongoing delimitation exercise in Assam, a bench of Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and Justices J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra agreed to examine the constitutional validity of Section 8A of the Representation of the People Act, 1950.

It empowers the Election Commission to undertake the delimitation of constituencies.

Ten leaders representing nine opposition parties in Assam- Congress, Raijor Dal, Assam Jatiya Parishad, CPI(M), CPI, TMC, NCP, RJD, and Anchalik Gana Morcha- recently filed a plea in the top court challenging the ongoing delimitation process.

The petitioners have specifically challenged the methodology adopted by the poll panel and its proposals notified on June 20, 2023.