EC Resumes Delimitation Hearings in West Bengal, Addresses 'Unmapped' Areas

Answer: D

Statement 1 is correct: Article 329(a) bars courts from inquiring into the validity of any law relating to the delimitation of constituencies or the allotment of seats. The orders of the Delimitation Commission are final and cannot be challenged in any court. Statement 2 is correct: The Delimitation Commission is appointed by the President of India and comprises a retired Supreme Court judge as Chairperson, the Chief Election Commissioner (or an Election Commissioner nominated by him), and the respective State Election Commissioner as ex-officio members. It works in close association with the Election Commission. Statement 3 is correct: The 87th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2003, amended Article 82 and Article 170 to provide for the readjustment and rationalization of territorial constituencies in the states on the basis of the 2001 census, instead of the 1991 census, without altering the total number of seats allocated to each state in the Lok Sabha and the total number of seats in the Legislative Assembly of each state.

Answer: B

Statement 1 is incorrect: While ensuring equal representation based on population is a key objective, delimitation also considers geographical contiguity, administrative units, and ease of communication. Absolute population equality is often not feasible or desirable if it leads to highly fragmented or geographically unmanageable constituencies. AI assists in optimizing, not necessarily achieving absolute equality at the cost of other principles. Statement 2 is correct: AI-powered software can analyze satellite imagery, GIS data, census data, and other geographical information to identify previously 'unmapped' or difficult-to-map areas, and then suggest optimized boundaries considering various parameters, enhancing accuracy and efficiency. Statement 3 is correct: The use of AI in sensitive processes like delimitation, which directly impacts political representation, inherently brings concerns about how the algorithms are trained, potential biases embedded in the data or the algorithm itself, and the need for transparency, accountability, and strong oversight to prevent manipulation or unintended discriminatory outcomes.

Answer: B

Option A is incorrect: The total number of seats has been frozen. Option B is correct: The 84th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2001, froze the total number of existing seats in the Lok Sabha and the State Legislative Assemblies till the year 2026. However, the 87th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2003, allowed for the readjustment and rationalization of territorial constituencies in the states on the basis of the 2001 census, without altering the total number of seats. This means while the number of seats remains fixed, their boundaries can be redrawn based on the 2001 population data. Option C is incorrect: Delimitation is a constitutional mandate, not dependent on state requests, though a Delimitation Commission is set up by the Central Government. Option D is incorrect: The orders of the Delimitation Commission have the force of law and are not subject to ratification by Parliament. They are laid before the Lok Sabha and the concerned State Legislative Assembly, but no modifications are permissible.