SC agrees to examine constitutional validity of Election Commission undertaking delimitation of constituencies | India News

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Monday agreed to examine the constitutional validity of Section 8A of the Representation of the People Act, 1950, empowering the Election Commission to undertake delimitation of constituencies.

A bench of Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and Justices J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, however, refused to stay the ongoing delimitation of Lok Sabha and assembly seats in Assam by the Election Commission and sought the response of the Centre and the poll panel on a batch of pleas on the issue.

The top court has sought the replies in three weeks and said the petitioners can file their rejoinders in two weeks after that.
Ten leaders representing nine opposition parties in Assam- Congress, Raijor Dal, Assam Jatiya Parishad, CPI(M), CPI, TMC, NCP, RJD, and Anchalik Gana Morcha- recently filed a plea in the top court challenging the ongoing delimitation process.
Two other pleas are also pending before the court on this aspect.
The petitioners have specifically challenged the methodology adopted by the poll panel and its proposals notified on June 20, 2023.
(With inputs from agencies)