Kamal Ghorui
NEW DELHI: In a move that aligns with New Delhi’s consistent position that Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (POJK) is an integral part of India, the Delimitation Bill, 2026 incorporates a provision authorising Election Commission to conduct delimitation of J&K constituencies that are currently under occupation by Pakistan whenever they “cease to be so occupied”.The elected strength of J&K assembly is 90; this does not include the 24 seats in POJK that remain ‘vacant’ and are not taken into account to calculate total membership of the assembly. The Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026 authorises the delimitation commission to decide on a revised strength of the J&K assembly, which shall not be below the current 114 seats. It rolls back the provision in J&K Reorganisation Act to exclude POJK area and seats while delimiting the territorial constituencies of J&K.The bill proposes to amend Section 15 of J&K Reorganisation Act to raise the number of women who may be nominated to J&K assembly by the LG to three from two. However, this shall be incre-ased only after readjustment of constituencies takes effect, based on fresh delimitation.According to the statement of objects and reasons of the bill, the provisions of Govt of Union Territories Act, 1963, Govt of National Capital Territory of Delhi Act, 1991, and Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019, are based on the existing constitutional framework relating to population, delimitation and reservation.
