Lok Sabha's Landmark Vote: Women's Quota Reform Passage

Lok Sabha is set to debate three consequential bills aimed at amending the women's quota law and establishing a delimitation commission. Speaker Om Birla scheduled the voting for Friday at 4 PM, with the debates expected to last between 15-18 hours. The bills have sparked opposition protests.

The Lok Sabha is poised for intense discussions as it gears up to vote on three pivotal bills, seeking to amend the women's quota law and establish a delimitation commission. The voting is scheduled for 4 PM on Friday, announced Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju initially suggested a 12-hour debate, although Speaker Birla indicated the discussion could extend to 15-18 hours. The introduction of the bills by Union ministers Arjun Ram Meghwal and Amit Shah was met with resistance from opposition parties who described them as unconstitutional.

Dubbed 'The Constitution (One Hundred and Thirty-First Amendment) Bill, 2026', 'The Delimitation Bill, 2026', and 'The Union Territories Laws (Amendment Bill), 2026', these proposals aim to expand Lok Sabha seats to a maximum of 850, facilitating the operationalization of the women's reservation law before the 2029 elections, following a delimitation exercise based on the 2011 Census.

(With inputs from agencies.)