Election Commission of India begins three-day public hearing on the Assam delimitation

GUWAHATI: The Election Commission of India (ECI) full bench held public hearings on its delimitation suggestions for Assam’s Assembly and Parliamentary seats on Wednesday.

Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar, Election Commissioners Anup Chandra Pandey and Arun Goel, and senior ECI officials arrived in Guwahati this morning to begin the three-day hearing at Srimanta Sankardeva Kalakshetra.

Kumar, Pandey, and Goel are hearing people’s suggestions in three halls, a poll panel official told PTI.

The ECI will examine the 2001 Census-based delimitation exercise draught suggestions with political parties and civil society organisations during this public meeting.

After the June 2023 proposal was published, comments were accepted until July 11. This period saw over 780 representations. “The Commission consults during delimitation through public hearings,” ECI said.

Kamrup Metropolitan, West Karbi Anglong, Chirang, Baksa, Dima Hasao, Kamrup, Udalguri, Karbi, and Kokrajhar districts were suggested on the first day. ECI received over 270 representations from these areas.

On Thursday, Goalpara, Bongaigaon, Barpeta, Nalbari, Sonitpur, Karimganj, Darrang, Hailakandi, Cachar, South Salmara, Nagaon, Morigaon, and Dhubri will provide feedback on the draught. These districts submitted over 400 recommendations.

The ECI will hear prayers from Tinsukia, Dhemaji, Lakhimpur, Sivasagar, Jorhat, Dibrugarh, Charaideo, Golaghat, and Majuli on the last day. These areas have submitted 95+ suggestions. Six national and state political parties made ideas.

On Tuesday, the Assam chief election officer asked public bodies to limit group representatives to five.