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. About the AuthorBharti JainBharti Jain is senior editor with The Times of India, New Delhi. She has been writing on security matters since 1996. Having covered the Union home ministry, security agencies, Election Commission and the ‘prime’ political beat, the Congress, for The Economic Times all these years, she moved to TOI in August 2012. Her repertoire of news stories delves into the whole gamut of issues related to terrorism and internal strife, besides probing strategic affairs in India’s neighbourhood.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosSamrat Chaudhary Becomes Bihar CM: A Political Journey Marked by Setbacks and ReinventionIran Expresses Confidence In India’s BRICS Presidency Amid West Asia ConflictPM Modi, Donald Trump Hold 40-Min Phone Call, Discuss Strait Of Hormuz, West Asia SituationPak Enters Noida? Stunning Twist To Wage War As Workers Riot In NCR; Yogi Minister Drops BombshellFuel Price Freeze Amid Hormuz Crisis Is Costing Oil Companies Thousands of Crores DailyChina Defends Renaming Places In Arunachal After India Slams Beijing’s ‘Mischievous Attempt’Bihar DY CM Puzzle for JDU, Nishant Kumar Reluctance Complicates NDA MathNitish Kumar Resigns After 20 Years as Bihar CM; BJP Names Samrat Choudhary as SuccessorWomen’s Reservation Bill Explained: How 850-Seat Lok Sabha Plan Promises To Change Indian PoliticsExplained: Supreme Court Backs Right to Vote but Denies Relief to Bengal’s Deleted Voters123Photostories8 baby boy names inspired by Milky Way galaxyWhy this new rice variety is called ‘Designer Rice’ and how it will impact your protein intake10 free things to do in Noida that are actually worth your timeHow to make Chef Sanjeev Kapoor-style Langarwali Dal6 essential real estate investment strategies for first-time buyers9 unique food etiquette rules from around the worldTop 5 IT hubs in India driving real estate demandArgue without breaking up: 5 simple rules every couple needs to know‘Bhooth Bangla’, ‘Dacoit’ To ‘The Drama’: What to watch in theatres this Week5 things you can bake beyond bread in an OTG123Hot PicksIran warDisney layoffsPurple cap winnerOrange cap winnerIPL Points TablePublic holidays April 2026Bank Holidays AprilTop TrendingDianna Russini Marriage ControversyTaylor Swift Blake Lively FalloutKelce Kayla Nicole TimelineDelhi Dehradun CorridorJk Cow Transport AssaultZoji La TunnelTrump-Modi CallIPL Points TableUS VP pick 2020Lonna Drewes
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.