Ward delimitation: Cabinet approves ordinance, Oppn keeps a keen eye

Thiruvananthapuram: After the division of wards on the basis of population, the number of wards in local government bodies may increase between one to four. The cabinet approved the draft ordinance for delimitation of wards on Monday. 

A committee headed by the State Election Commissioner will prepare guidelines fordelimitation of wards after notification is issued with the Governor’s approval. Based on this, the expert committee will later approve the division of wards conducted by the local self government.

Ward delimitation as per the 2011 census was supposed to be completed by 2015 but this was done only in a few local bodies. Ward division process started in 2020 but was abandoned due to the Covid pandemic. Meanwhile, considering the increase in population, an increase by four wards is expected in some places.

The Kozhikode corporation may have more than one division. In 2015, ward re-delimitation was done in 38 local self government bodies.

As part of this, 28 new municipalities and Kannur corporation came into existence. For this, the boundaries of nine local bodies had to be changed. These may also be considered during the new delimitation process.

Leader of the opposition in Kerala V.D Satheesan accused that this decision was taken unilaterally. He said that during the UDF government’s term, the decision was taken in consultation with the then opposition. If the government is planning to play tricks, they will face legal action. UDF will allow only legal delimitation of wards done as per norms, he added.