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.

Reservation in Constituencies

In the First Past the Post (FPTP) electoral system, the candidate with the highest number of votes in a constituency wins the election. However, this system may disadvantage smaller social groups, particularly in a diverse society like India with a history of caste-based discrimination. To address this issue, the Constitution makers opted for reserved constituencies instead of separate electorates. Unlike separate electorates, where only voters from a specific community can elect a representative from that community, reserved constituencies allow all voters to participate in elections, but candidates must belong to the designated community or social group.

Reserved constituencies ensure fair representation for marginalized groups across the country, even if their numbers are insufficient to influence victory in a particular constituency. The Constitution reserves seats in the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in proportion to their population share. The Delimitation Commission, an independent body appointed by the President of India, decides which constituencies will be reserved based on population composition. These reserved constituencies are periodically rotated to ensure equitable representation.

While the Constitution provides reservation for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, there is growing demand for similar reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies. Despite existing reservation for women in local government bodies, a constitutional amendment is required to implement reservation at higher levels. Although proposed several times in Parliament, such an amendment has not yet been passed.

Historical Context and Rationale

Before independence, the British introduced the concept of ‘separate electorates’ to address issues of representation for certain communities. However, this approach was deemed inadequate by many members of the Constituent Assembly, leading to the adoption of reserved constituencies instead.

Under this system, while all voters in a constituency retain the right to vote, only candidates belonging to specific communities or social groups are eligible to contest from reserved seats.

Reservation for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes

The Constitution of India provides for the reservation of seats in the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies for Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST). Initially introduced for a period of ten years, this provision has been extended through successive constitutional amendments.

Currently, 84 Lok Sabha seats are reserved for Scheduled Castes and 47 for Scheduled Tribes, reflecting their proportional representation in the population.

Delimitation and Allocation Process

The allocation of reserved constituencies is determined by an independent body known as the Delimitation Commission. Appointed by the President of India in collaboration with the Election Commission, this commission is tasked with drawing the boundaries of constituencies across the country.

The decision on which constituencies to reserve is based on population composition, with higher proportions of SC and ST populations leading to reservation.

Considerations and Rotational Policy

For Scheduled Castes, the Delimitation Commission not only prioritizes constituencies with higher SC populations but also ensures their distribution across different regions of the state. This geographic spread aims to reflect the even distribution of the Scheduled Caste population.

Additionally, reserved constituencies may be rotated periodically during delimitation exercises to maintain fairness and equity in representation.

Expanding Reservation: Demand for Women’s Representation

While the Constitution currently reserves seats for SCs and STs, there is growing advocacy for similar reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies.

Despite existing provisions for women’s reservation in local governments, extending this to higher legislative bodies would require a constitutional amendment. Although proposed multiple times in Parliament, such an amendment has yet to be passed.

Conclusion

In essence, the concept of reserved constituencies serves as a crucial mechanism for promoting inclusivity and ensuring the representation of marginalized communities in India’s electoral democracy. As the country continues to evolve, discussions on expanding reservation to other disadvantaged groups reflect the ongoing pursuit of equitable and representative governance.

Reservation in Constituencies- FAQs

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.