Finance
The Constitution (One Hundred and Thirty-First Amendment) Bill, 2026, which aims to enable women’s reservation and facilitate delimitation, was approved by the Lok Sabha on Thursday after a vote was divided in the House. The development came after the Opposition requested a recorded vote, which resulted in a formal division procedure.
Union Law Minister Arjun Meghwal rose in the House to introduce the Bill, a significant step in the legislative process. The introduction comes after an earlier round of vote in which Members of Parliament approved bringing the Bill up for consideration.
The Constitution (One Hundred and Thirty-First Amendment) Bill, 2026, as well as the Delimitation Bill 2026 and Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026, have all been introduced.
Previously, the Lok Sabha voted in favor of presenting the Constitution (One Hundred and Thirty-First Amendment) Bill, 2026, after the Opposition requested a division.
Following the usage of voting slips, the distribution was 251 in support and 185 against, according to Speaker Om Birla, who also stated that it is open to change.
The Lok Sabha typically relies on voice voting to pass motions; however, when the outcome is contested, a “division” is conducted. In such cases, the Automatic Vote Recorder system is used to register votes under “Ayes”, “Noes”, and “Abstain”.
Subsequently, vote slips were also utilised during the proceedings after the division, with a total of 333 members casting their votes and no abstentions recorded in that round.
“If any member wishes to change the vote, they may call for voting through slips,” the Lok Sabha Secretary General had earlier informed the House.
The opposition pushed on a division as the House began voting on the Women’s Reservation Bill. The proposal required a simple majority to pass, and the voting procedure was carried out amid increased political activity.
Lok Sabha Secretary General Utpal Singh lectured members on the operation of the automatic vote recording system, emphasizing that, while voice votes are the norm, divisions are summoned when members request them.
“The votes will not be registered if the votes are kept pressed before the first gong or if they aren’t pressed simultaneously till the second gong. Members can check their vote on the individual results board,” Singh said.
“If any member wishes to change the vote, they may call for voting through slips,” he added.
Source: IANS
