ECI Delimitation Final: Silchar MP seat remains reserved for SC, Assembly seats stay reduced to 13 from 15

Record gathering at the protests and strikes go unheard at the Election Commission of India (ECI) backs the decisions it proposed. The ECI has published the final notification “Delimitation of Parliamentary and Assembly Constituencies in State of Assam”

“The Commission under sub-sections S(c) & (e) of Section 8 A of the Representation of the People Act, 1950 has considered all objections and suggestions made at the aforesaid public sittings and/or received by it otherwise, in relation to its said proposals, in the light of the relevant provisions of the Constitution and the said Acts;
NOW THEREFORE, in pursuance of Section 8A(5) of the Representation of the People Act, 1950 read with Presidential Orders issued vide S.O.No. 903(E) dated 28*” February, 2020 to amend Schedule-I & II and Schedule V (with regard to the State of Assam) to the Delimitation of Parliamentary and Assembly Constituencies Order, 2008, the Election Commission hereby determines as follows:” announced the ECI.

One Hundred and Twenty Six Assembly Constituencies into which the State of Assam shall be divided for the purpose of elections to the Legislative Assembly of the State and the extent of each such Constituency shall be as shown in Table-A.

The primary demand of the people of Barak Valley was to reinstate the Assembly representation to 15. The Election Commission of India, in its final draft announced that there will be 13 seats from Barak Valley. Algapur and Katlicherra which happens to be two separate constituencies, have been amalgamated into one and will now be known as Algapur – Katlicherra. Similarly, Badarpur has been merged with North Karimganj and will now be known as North Karimganj.

The ECI took cognisance of Minister Parimal Suklabaidya’s objection and Dholai Constituency retains its name. Worth mentioning here that the proposed draft had Dholai renamed.

What comes as a massive development is that the Silchar Legislative Assembly has been reduced both geographically and electorally. Ward Number 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 of the current Silchar Municipal Broad have been excluded from Silchar LAC.

Also, ECI confirmed in its final draft that Silchar Parliamentary Constituency which is one of two constituencies from Barak Valley, other being Hailakandi – Karimganj, will remain reserved for the SC candidates and the Hailakandi – Karimganj consitituency, which was earlier reserved for SC will now be open for general candidates.

Need to be mentioned here, that Silchar MP, Dr. Rajdeep Roy had said there will be Kashmirisation of Karimganj if it is made unreserved. Safe to assume that the ECI has found no logic in his arguments as his comments were heard yet ignored. This also poses as cloud of uncertainty over the political careers of Rajdeep Roy, Sushmita Dev and others from the general category who are or were in the elected MP.

Here are the final shape of LACs from Barak Valley

Karimganj District

Hailakandi District