Explanation:

Delimitation became necessary when the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019 increased the number of seats in the Assembly.

The erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir had 111 seats — 46 in Kashmir, 37 in Jammu, and four in Ladakh.

In addition, 24 seats reserved for Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

In the erstwhile state, delimitation of parliamentary constituencies was governed by the Constitution of India and that of Assembly seats was carried out by the then state government under the Jammu and Kashmir Representation of the People Act, 1957.

After abrogation of Jammu and Kashmir’s special status in 2019, the delimitation of both Assembly and parliamentary seats is governed by the Constitution.

The Delimitation Commission was set up on March 6, 2020.

The commission is headed by retired Supreme Court Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai. Additionally, it has the Chief Election Commissioner and Jammu and Kashmir’s Chief Electoral Officer as members, and Jammu and Kashmir’s five MPs as associate members.

The time given to the panel, initially one year, was extended several times as the National Conference’s three MPs initially boycotted its proceedings.

The first draft recommendations of the commission, on January 20, suggested an increase of six Assembly seats for Jammu and one for Kashmir.

The commission submitted its second draft report on February 6 2022.

The last delimitation exercise in Jammu and Kashmir was carried out in 1995.