Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal says delimitation must follow constitutional deadline after 2026
Union law minister Arjun Ram Meghwal affirmed that the redrawing of constituency boundaries is required by the Constitution once the 2026 freeze on Lok Sabha seats ends.
Speaking in New Delhi, Union law minister Arjun Ram Meghwal reiterated that delimitation - the redrawing of Lok Sabha and state assembly constituencies - is a constitutional duty under Article 82. He noted that the 42nd Constitutional Amendment of 1976 froze the number of Lok Sabha seats based on the 1971 census to protect states that had succeeded in population control. That freeze is set to expire in 2026, after which the Constitution mandates a new delimitation exercise.
Meghwal asserted that the law requires the process to be carried out once the freeze lifts, framing it as a non-negotiable step. He did not specify the exact schedule for the upcoming exercise, only that it must occur after 2026. The statement underscores the government's stance on adhering to constitutional timelines for electoral reforms.
Why it matters
It signals the government's commitment to updating electoral boundaries in line with constitutional rules after a long freeze.
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