Readjustment after each census
Article 82 — Readjustment after each census
census, the allocation of seats in the House of the People to the States and the division of each State into territorial constituencies shall be readjusted by such authority and in such manner as Parliament may by law determine: Provided that such readjustment shall not affect representation in the House of the People until the dissolution of the then existing House: Provided further that such readjustment shall take effect from such date as the President may, by order, specify and until such readjustment takes effect, any election to the House may be held on the basis of the territorial constituencies existing before such readjustment: Provided also that until the relevant figures for the first census taken after the year 2026 have been published, it shall not be necessary to readjust,—
- (i) the allocation of seats in the House of the People to the States as
readjusted on the basis of the 1971 census; and
- (ii) the division of each State into territorial constituencies as may be readjusted on the basis of the 2001 census, under this article.]]
Plain English Summary
This article deals with how the representation of states in the Parliament and the division of states into election areas (constituencies) are adjusted after every census. The Parliament decides how these changes will be made by law, and these changes won't affect current parliamentary representation until the current Parliament is dissolved.
Key Points
- Census data is used to redraw the number of seats allocated to States in the Parliament.
- The division of states into electoral constituencies must also be readjusted based on census figures.
- Parliament has the power to determine the exact method for these readjustments through a law.
- These changes do not affect existing parliamentary representation until the current House of Parliament is dissolved.
Why It Matters
This article ensures that the political representation in the Parliament and the electoral map of the country are periodically updated based on population data collected through censuses.
Landmark Judgements
No major landmark judgements.