Faizan Wani
Srinagar, Jun 23: The delimitation of Assembly segments in Jammu and Kashmir gained momentum on Tuesday as Deputy Election Commissioner Chander Bushan Kumar held discussions with all 20 Deputy Commissioners (DCs) of the Union Territory.
Sources said that Kumar held discussions with all DCs of Kashmir and Jammu divisions in two batches to get details about demography and topography of the areas falling within their respective jurisdictions.
“The DCs briefed the ECI about demographics and topography of their districts,” they said, adding that ECI collected data about mismatch between electoral constituencies and administrative units from DCs.
As per Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019 all constituencies shall, as far as practicable, be geographically compact areas, and in delimiting them, regard shall be had to the physical features, existing boundaries of administrative units, facilities of communication and conveniences to the public.
It is worthwhile to mention that the Government of India had set- up a delimitation commission in March for the purpose of delimitation of Assembly and Parliamentary constituencies in the Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
The panel is headed by former Supreme Court Judge Ranjana Prakash Desai and comprises Chief Election Commissioner Sushil Chandra and State Election Commissioner Kewal Kumar Sharma.
All MPs from J&K are associate members of the delimitation commission. But three MPs from National Conference have refused to participate in proceedings of the panel, saying they have challenged the Jammu & Kashmir Reorganisation Act, under which the panel was set-up by the Government of India.
