Delimitation panel to keep seat tally same

The Delimitation Commission is speeding up the process of constituency reorgainsation in four poll-bound states of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, West ...

The Delimitation Commission is speeding up the process of constituency reorgainsation in four poll-bound states of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, West Bengal and Assam but there’s going to be no increase or decrease in the number of constituencies as feared by some political parties.

‘‘There will not be increase or decrease in the number of constituencies but they would be reorganised in a manner that there is a balance in the population distribution,’’ said S.K. Mehendiratta, legal counsel of both the Delimitation and Election Commissions. Currently, there are 234 Assembly constituencies in Tamil Nadu.

Admitted that it was a massive operation involving distribution of voters and reworking the constituency map, he added: ‘‘But we do hope to come out with a working paper soon.’’

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The panel would wrap up work before the elections in Tamil Nadu and the other states. ‘‘We expect to complete the process before the next round elections. Already, we have finalised our work in Goa and Pondicherry,’’ said Mehendiratta.

The Commission’s secretariat is preparing the working paper on delimitation for Tamil Nadu, which would be circulated to its members and associate members. ‘‘After deliberations with them, it would publish a draft list, which would be sent to public and political parties for discussions. The Commission, before publishing its final orders, would hear the views of the public,’’ he said.

On the TN Assembly bypolls from Kancheepuram and Gummudipoondi, Mendiratta said he and two other EC officials would hold discussions with the district collectors concerned and submit a report to the EC. Tamil Nadu CEO Naresh Gupta is undertaking an intensive revision of electoral rolls, which may be completed by April 15.