With the recommendations of the Fourth Delimitation Commission coming into force, from March 2008, the political map of the country is expected to undergo significant changes. Not only have the boundaries of existing constituencies changed but so has the political demography thereof. How would the constituencies now look like? To what extent has the political demography of constituencies changed? How far the changed scenario would affect the political actors? These are the questions that instantly occupy our thinking. Lokniti has taken up the challenge and is trying to produce information on the same through its project ‘Delimitation’ started in February 2008.
The objectives of the project are as follows:
| 1. |
To create maps of each assembly and parliamentary constituency;
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| 2. |
To prepare socio-demographic and economic profile of each constituency, and |
| 3. |
To assess the impact of boundary changes on political actors.
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Stage I is to collect preliminary research on the nature, source and level of data
availability. Some vital information from the Delimitation Commission is being accessed. Besides, some data, such as on caste groups, will be collected through fieldwork. A pilot study for the same is decided in order to get feedback on the magnitude of cost, difficulties in collecting information, accuracy and reliability of information.
After the data is collected, Stage II would be to engage GIS people to draw maps. The profiling exercise would indeed move parallel to the cartographic one. Once this exercise is done for a state, a demonstration and assessment of the output will follow. The project will then move to its third and final stage where it is proposed to put the output in public domain.
The timeline for each of the three stages will be soon finalised. The project is expected to take its final shape before the next Lok Sabha due in May 2009.
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