EC calls for increasing Assam's reserved seats in draft proposal

The number of reserved seats for scheduled castes and tribes in the state assembly and parliamentary constituencies in Assam needs to be increased, the Election Commission of India said in a draft proposal released on Tuesday

- Deeksha Bhardwaj

 

NEW DELHI: The number of assembly seats reserved for scheduled castes should be increased to nine from eight, and for scheduled tribes to 19 from 16, the poll overseer said in a statement. For the Lok Sabha, it suggested reserving two seats for scheduled tribes and one seat for scheduled castes. The total number of assembly and parliamentary seats would remain unchanged at 126 and 14, respectively, it said.

The commission said efforts have been made to ensure that all constituencies are kept as compact as possible during the delimitation exercise. Several factors have been taken into account, including physical features, population density, existing administrative boundaries, communication facilities and public convenience, it said. Delimitation implies redrawing of boundaries of assembly and parliamentary constituencies.