New Delhi, July 15: The Centre is set to introduce the Delimitation Bill 2026 in Parliament this week, proposing a legal framework to conduct constituency delimitation in Pakistan occupied Kashmir if the territory returns to Indian control. The proposed legislation reaffirms India’s constitutional claim over the region.
The Bill empowers the Election Commission of India to function as the Delimitation Commission for areas currently under Pakistan’s occupation once administrative control is restored.
At present, 24 seats in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly remain reserved for Pakistan occupied Kashmir and have never been contested in elections.
The Bill is expected to be introduced during the extended three day Budget Session of Parliament. Government sources said the legislation requires only a simple majority for passage. However, the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill 2026 and the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill 2026 will require a special majority.
India’s claim over Pakistan occupied Kashmir is based on the Instrument of Accession signed by Maharaja Hari Singh in 1947. The claim has also been reaffirmed through the unanimous parliamentary resolution passed in 1994, which called for Pakistan to vacate the occupied territory.
Despite lacking administrative control, India has continued to reserve 24 Assembly seats for Pakistan occupied Kashmir through successive delimitation exercises. These seats remain vacant because elections cannot be conducted in the region.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah has repeatedly stated that Pakistan occupied Kashmir is an integral part of India. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to fully integrating Jammu and Kashmir after the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019.
Meanwhile, Opposition parties have questioned the timing of the Bill. They argued that any delimitation exercise should follow a fresh Census and warned of possible political implications. However, the Centre maintains that the legislation is necessary to complete the constitutional framework and reinforce India’s territorial position.
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