New Delhi, April 17, KNT: The Lok Sabha on Friday failed to pass the Constitution (One Hundred and Thirty-First Amendment) Bill, 2026, dealing a setback to the government’s attempt to increase the total number of seats in the House and modify provisions related to the women’s reservation law enacted in 2023.
The bill required a two-thirds majority under Article 368 of the Constitution to be approved in the lower house. However, it fell short of the required threshold during a division vote.
A total of 298 Members of Parliament voted in favour of the bill, while 230 opposed it, leaving the proposal short of the approximately 360 votes needed for passage.
According to information shared by Sansad TV on X, the bill was “not passed by a majority of the total membership of the House and by a majority of at least two-thirds of the members present and voting,” as mandated for constitutional amendments.
The voting was conducted through a formal division rather than a voice vote, ensuring that the exact number of votes cast for and against the bill was recorded.
The proposed amendment sought to revise the strength of the Lok Sabha and make adjustments to the framework of women’s reservation approved earlier, though the details of the changes did not secure sufficient backing across the House.
The outcome highlights the challenge of securing broad consensus for constitutional amendments, which require support beyond a simple majority. [KNT]
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