SC questions delimitation delay in Manipur, other northeastern states

The Supreme Court on Tuesday questioned the Union government over its inaction on the long-pending delimitation exercises in Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur, even as the government defended its position, citing the delicate socio-political environment of the northeastern region as the primary reason for its inability to proceed.

- Utkarsh Anand

A bench comprising Chief Justice of India (CJI) Sanjiv Khanna and justice PV Sanjay Kumar emphasised the statutory mandate for delimitation and expressed discontent over the delay despite a 2020 Presidential order that rescinded the deferment of the process citing improved security conditions.

It observed that once the deferment order was rescinded, the Election Commission of India (ECI) was obligated to begin the delimitation exercise under Section 8A of the Representation ofthe People Act, 1950.