Article 82 of CoI : Article 82: Readjustment after each census.

Explanation using Example

Example 1:

Scenario: The 2031 Census has just been completed in India.

Application: After the 2031 Census, the government needs to readjust the allocation of seats in the Lok Sabha (House of the People) and the division of each state into territorial constituencies. Parliament passes a law specifying that the Election Commission of India will be the authority responsible for this readjustment.

Process:

1. The Election Commission reviews the new population data from the 2031 Census.
2. Based on the new population figures, the Commission reallocates the number of Lok Sabha seats to each state to ensure proportional representation.
3. The Commission also redraws the boundaries of the constituencies within each state to reflect population changes.

Outcome: The new allocation and constituency boundaries are finalized, but they will not affect the current Lok Sabha until its term ends. The President issues an order specifying the date from which the new boundaries and seat allocations will take effect. Until then, any elections will be conducted based on the old boundaries and seat allocations.

Example 2:

Scenario: The year is 2027, and the government is preparing for the next general elections.

Application: According to the Constitution, there is no need to readjust the allocation of seats in the Lok Sabha or the division of constituencies based on the 2021 Census figures. The current allocations and boundaries, which are based on the 1971 and 2001 Census data respectively, will remain in effect until the first census after 2026 is published.

Process:

1. The Election Commission uses the existing constituency boundaries and seat allocations for the upcoming general elections.
2. Political parties and candidates campaign within these established boundaries.
3. The elections are conducted, and the new Lok Sabha is formed based on the existing seat allocations and constituency divisions.

Outcome: The elections proceed smoothly without any changes to the constituency boundaries or seat allocations, ensuring stability and continuity in the electoral process until the next census data is available and a new readjustment is made.