The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave its approval to amend section 11 of the Delimitation Act, 2002 and section 9 of the Representation of the People Act, 1950. The proposed amendments will now be available before the Parliament for passing. It will enable Election Commission to carry out limited delimitation of Assembly and Parliamentary Constituencies in the Cooch Behar District of West Bengal consequent upon the exchange of 51 Bangladeshi enclaves and 111 Indian enclaves respectively between India and Bangladesh, with effect from 31st July, 2015.

Backgroud

• In a historic pact between India and Bangladesh, 51 Bangladeshi enclaves (Chhitmahals) in Indian Territory and 111 Indian enclaves in Bangladesh territory were exchanged with effect from 31st July, 2015.
• The move altered the geography and demography of the district of Cooch Behar in West Bengal.
• With a view to carry out consequential geographic and demographic alterations vis-à-vis the electoral mosaic of the affected areas, the Election Commission requested to amend section 11 of the Delimitation Act, 2002 and section 9 of the Representation of the People Act, 1950 to enable it to carry out limited delimitation of constituencies in the affected areas.

Delimitation Act 2002

The delimitation act 2002 is an act that provides for the readjustments of the allocation of seats in the Lok Sabha, state legislative assembly. The act also established the Delimitation commission through the act.

Representation of People Act 1950

The Representation of People Act 1950 deals with the delimitation of constituencies for the Lok Sabha and the state Vidhan Sabha, it also lays down the provisions for the disqualifications and terminations of the member of the popular houses and also lay down rules and regulations for their election.