Assam police have reportedly detained people who were protesting against the proposed delimitation draft by the Election Commission of India (ECI). The demonstration was held in Karimganj, with several organizations and political parties also calling for a 12-hour bandh across various districts in the State as a further protest.
The Election Commission of India published the draft proposal for the delimitation of Assembly and Parliamentary Constituencies for Assam on June 20, prompting criticism from some.
Congress MLA Kamalakhya Dey Purkayastha has called the process illegal due to the claim that there have been no guidelines followed in the delimitation.
The number of seats in the Legislative Assembly and the House of People in the State of Assam has been retained as 126 and 14 respectively, said the ECI in a statement. 19 seats in the Legislative Assembly are proposed to be allocated for Scheduled Tribes out of 126 seats, while 2 seats are proposed to be allocated for Scheduled Tribes out of 14 seats in House of People allocated to the State of Assam. Similarly, 9 seats in the Legislative Assembly are proposed to be allocated for Scheduled Castes, while 1 seat is proposed to be allocated for Scheduled Castes in House of People, it further read.
Individuals and organizations have been asked to submit their suggestions and objections regarding the proposed delimitation before July 11, 2023.
The commission is slated to visit Assam again in July 2023 for a public hearing on the draft proposal.
