Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said that following the delimitation and accord with United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA)only those who have been residing in Assam for the last 200 to 300 years will get elected from nearly 106 assembly seats out of 126 assembly constituencies.
Sarma while talking to media persons said, “The exercise of delimitation of assembly constituencies and parliamentary seats was done by Election Commission of India and the outcome was 96 seats were secured for Assamese people. In these seats only those residing in Assam for ages can win these seats.”
He said, “In 12 seats of Barak valley of Assam in around eight seats only the indigenous people of Barak valley will be able to win. If put together we have secured 106 seats for indigenous people. In the peace accords with ULFA it is incorporated that the main principles of delimitation exercise of assemblies and parliamentary constituencies will remain in future. This is done so that demography of the constituencies does not change, and political power remains with Assamese people.”The chief minister said that this will secure Assam politically for another 30 to 40 years.” In the accord there is incorporated that a voter before changing his constituencies must fulfil several conditions. A person cannot encroach on the forest land and become a voter of a new constituency . One can change his voting area if he is the permanent resident by purchasing land or other substantial interest. The ordinary residency must be acquired, like someone is a government servant and moved due to services.”
The chief minister elaborated that there will be more discussion as to what more will be added. “ULFA accord has achieved what we tried to achieve through different ways. This accord has ensured the highest level of protection within the constitution of India.”
He added, “We will bring bills in assembly to enable various provisions of this clause of the accord. The government of India when it brings a legislation for delimitation in the country, there will be separate provisions of Assam, we will bring laws to the voters conditionality”.He said that by Assamese we mean those staying in Assam for ages. Those who live in Assam for 200 to 300 years are Assamese. “The political landscape of Assam stands changed after almost 27 years as the Election commission of India has published the Delimitation of assembly and parliamentary constituencies last year.
On December 29, the government of India and ULFA inked a peace accord.