{
  "id": 13791803,
  "title": "CEC, DMK stand complicate govt's delimitation plan",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/11/cec-dmk-stand-complicate-govts-delimitation-plan",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-11T19:19:33.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Economic Times",
    "slug": "the-economic-times",
    "url": "https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/cec-gyanesh-kumar-row-dmk-stand-complicate-centres-delimitation-plan/articleshow/134876658.cms"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The controversy surrounding CEC Gyanesh Kumar's resignation has introduced complications to the Central government's delimitation plan. This plan, which pertains to both the expansion of the Lok Sabha and the role of the Election Commission of India (ECI), faces significant hurdles from the Opposition's protests. The Opposition argues that there is an alternative approach to redraw constituencies within the existing 543 Lok Sabha seats following the post-2026 Census figures, thus avoiding the need for a constitutional amendment to increase the Lok Sabha's size and the associated women's reservation.\n\nExpanding the Lok Sabha, however, necessitates a constitutional amendment that requires a two-thirds majority in both houses of Parliament. This becomes particularly challenging given that the DMK, with its 22 Lok Sabha MPs, is a key player in this equation. DMK chief and former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has made it clear that he will not accept Kumar's resignation as negotiable. He is demanding that the ECI's institutional framework be restored to its prior state of independence and integrity.\n\nThe proposed Delimitation Bill, 2026, initially planned to include a commission with a Supreme Court judge as chairperson, CEC or someone nominated by him, and the chief electoral officer (CEO) of the respective state. The ECI's role in delimitation has become contentious due to allegations of bias related to the Socio-Economic Caste Census (SECC). Consequently, the proposed legislation was not pursued further after the linked constitutional amendment failed to gain the required majority.\n\nNon-aligned regional parties, such as the BJD, YSRCP, and BRS, have also expressed concerns regarding the CEC. BJD sent two Rajya Sabha MPs to protest Kumar's decision, while BRS working president KT Rama Rao has demanded his resignation and a Supreme Court probe into alleged irregularities in SECC. YSRCP chief YS Jagan Mohan Reddy has called for a review of the 2023 law overseeing the appointment and tenure of CECs and ECs, emphasizing the need to maintain public confidence in constitutional institutions. Despite these complications, delimitation within the existing Lok Sabha strength could circumvent the hurdle of obtaining a special majority, yet it would still necessitate adherence to the census figures and relevant legal processes.",
  "summary": null,
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}