Centre Sets Stage for 33% Women’s Reservation in 2029 LS Polls

NEW DELHI:
In a significant push towards empowering women in politics, the Central Government has initiated groundwork to implement 33% reservation for women in the Lok Sabha, beginning with the 2029 general elections. The move follows the passing of the historic Nari Shakti Vandan Act, a constitutional amendment that aims to bolster women’s representation in national governance.

Sources in the Union Government confirmed that the implementation of the reservation will hinge on a fresh delimitation exercise, which is currently held up due to a constitutional freeze until 2026. A constitutional amendment will be required to initiate delimitation, and such a step must be approved by both Houses of Parliament.

Government officials disclosed that preparations are already underway to facilitate the formation of a Delimitation Commission once the freeze lifts. The Commission will be tasked with visiting states, seeking representations, and preparing a detailed report before recommending the restructured constituencies.

Concerns have been raised, particularly from southern states, over the implications of delimitation. These states, which have historically succeeded in population control, fear that their parliamentary representation might reduce under a population-based delimitation formula. However, sources clarified that the Centre is seriously considering their apprehensions and assured that equitable representation for all states will be maintained.

Parallelly, the Government is also preparing for a long-delayed national census. Originally scheduled for 2021 but postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the upcoming census is expected to be carried out using cutting-edge technology. A dedicated mobile application supporting data input in 16 Indian languages will be deployed. Additionally, the process will integrate Aadhaar-based verification, biometric data, and artificial intelligence tools to enhance accuracy and efficiency.

The move marks a decisive step toward reshaping the democratic framework with greater inclusivity and modernization, as India moves closer to ensuring gender parity in legislative processes.