President approves delimitation of constituencies

New Delhi, Feb 19 (UNI) President Pratibha Patil tonight approved the delimitation of constituencies across India, redrawing the country's electoral map.

The notification will cover all the constituencies, except those in five states--Assam, Manipur, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh and Jharkhand, official sources said.

The Centre had, on February 14, said a notification would be issued at the ''earliest'' for enforcing the orders given by the Delimitation Commission which had redrawn the Lok Sabha and Assembly constituencies.

The approval for forwarding the orders to the President for issue of the notification was taken at a Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

The government would also subsequently amend the Representation of People Act, 1950, superseding the Delimitation Order of 1976.

UNI RB PK DB2121