Question

Explain the term constituency. Give reasons why the reserved constituencies were introduced by our constituion makers.

Answer 1

Under Article 82 of the Constitution, the Parliament by law enacts a Delimitation Act after every census. After coming into force commencement of the Act, the Central Government constitutes a Delimitation Commission. This Delimitation Commission demarcates the boundaries of the Parliamentary Constituencies as per provisions of the Delimitation Act. The present delimitation of constituencies is based on 1971 census figures. Population is the basis of allocation of parliamentary constituencies of the Lok Sabha. As far as possible, every State gets representation in the Lok Sabha in proportion to its population as per census figures.

The Reserved Constituencies were introduced for following reasons:

• After Independence, large population of India was secluded either on caste or religious issues so get them at par with the rest such reservation was needed.
• Weaker section of society could not contest elections so reserved constituencies were introduced.
• Also, rich people exert their influence to forbid the weaker section from contesting elections.