Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi, May 13: The Supreme Court on Friday asked the central government and the Jammu and Kashmir administration to respond to a petition opposing the proposed delimitation action.
Notably, a delimitation group has suggested that the number of assembly seats in the union territory be increased from 83 to 90.
The petition requested that the increase in seats be declared illegal under Articles 81, 82, 170, 330, and 332 of the constitution, as well as Section 63 of the J&K Reorganisation Act, 2019.
Residents of J&K filed the petition, which also sought a ruling that the Delimitation Commission established under the Delimitation Act 2022 lacks power, jurisdiction, and authority. The case’s next hearing is scheduled for August 30.
Last week, a tribunal tasked with redrawing J&K seats finalised the union territory’s electoral map, bringing the contentious exercise to a close and opening the way for regional elections. The significant step comes for the first time since the special status granted under Article 370 was repealed.
The three-member commission announced its final ruling, allocating 43 seats to the Hindu-majority Jammu area and 47 seats to the Muslim-majority Kashmir region. Six of the new seats are for Jammu and one is for Kashmir.
