Reservation in Constituencies
What are reserved constituencies in the Indian electoral system?
Reserved constituencies are electoral areas where only candidates belonging to specific communities or social groups, such as Scheduled Castes (SC) or Scheduled Tribes (ST), are eligible to contest elections. While all voters can cast their ballots, only candidates from the designated communities can stand for election in these constituencies.
How are reserved constituencies determined?
The allocation of reserved constituencies is overseen by the Delimitation Commission, an independent body appointed by the President of India in collaboration with the Election Commission. This commission examines the demographic composition of constituencies and identifies areas with higher proportions of SC or ST populations for reservation.
Why were reserved constituencies introduced in India?
Reserved constituencies were introduced to address historical injustices and ensure the representation of marginalized communities in the political process. In India’s diverse social context, where certain communities face systemic discrimination, reservation of seats aims to provide a platform for their participation and empowerment.
Are reserved constituencies permanent?
Reserved constituencies are subject to periodic review and adjustment through delimitation exercises. The Delimitation Commission may rotate reserved constituencies during these exercises to maintain fairness and equity in representation. While originally introduced for a limited period, reservation provisions have been extended through constitutional amendments.
Is there a demand for expanding reservation to other groups?
Yes, there is growing advocacy for extending reservation to other disadvantaged groups, particularly women. While reservation for SCs and STs exists at the national and state levels, there have been calls to introduce similar provisions for women in legislative bodies. However, implementing such an expansion would require a constitutional amendment, which has yet to be passed despite multiple proposals in Parliament.
Class 11 School Polity Chapter 2: Reservation in Constituencies
In a democracy, fair representation of all social groups is essential for upholding the principles of equality and justice. However, in the context of India’s diverse social fabric, achieving this representation poses unique challenges.
The reservation of constituencies emerges as a mechanism to address these challenges and ensure the participation of marginalized communities in the electoral process.