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Indian MPs vote on women's bill Indian MPs vote on women's bill
(9 minutes later)
The upper house of India's parliament is voting on a bill to reserve a third of all seats in the national parliament and state legislatures for women.The upper house of India's parliament is voting on a bill to reserve a third of all seats in the national parliament and state legislatures for women.
India's vice president called a "voice vote" of MPs in the house and ruled the bill had passed. Now he has called for the votes to be cast electronically.India's vice president called a "voice vote" of MPs in the house and ruled the bill had passed. Now he has called for the votes to be cast electronically.
The bill was introduced on Monday amid uproar from opponents, resulting in the suspension of seven MPs on Tuesday.The bill was introduced on Monday amid uproar from opponents, resulting in the suspension of seven MPs on Tuesday.
First proposed in 1996, the bill now has support from India's main parties.First proposed in 1996, the bill now has support from India's main parties.
At present women make up just 10% of the lower house (Lok Sabha)of parliament, and significantly fewer in state assemblies.At present women make up just 10% of the lower house (Lok Sabha)of parliament, and significantly fewer in state assemblies.
Sonia Gandhi, Congress party president, has said she attaches the "highest importance" to the proposals and passing them would be a "gift to the women of India".Sonia Gandhi, Congress party president, has said she attaches the "highest importance" to the proposals and passing them would be a "gift to the women of India".
In India's parliamentary system a "voice vote" is the first stage of the voting process. Once this takes place a division of votes gets under way, formally recording the number of votes for and against a motion.In India's parliamentary system a "voice vote" is the first stage of the voting process. Once this takes place a division of votes gets under way, formally recording the number of votes for and against a motion.
This bill needs the support of two-thirds of voters present in the upper house (Rajya Sabha) for it to be passed.This bill needs the support of two-thirds of voters present in the upper house (Rajya Sabha) for it to be passed.
The proposals will be tabled in the lower house at a later date. An overwhelming majority there support the move, correspondents say.The proposals will be tabled in the lower house at a later date. An overwhelming majority there support the move, correspondents say.
The bill has the support of the governing Congress-led UPA alliance, the BJP-led NDA alliance and left-wing parties.The bill has the support of the governing Congress-led UPA alliance, the BJP-led NDA alliance and left-wing parties.
'Shameful''Shameful'
But the bill's passage through the upper house has been marked by scenes of chaos since it was tabled on Monday.But the bill's passage through the upper house has been marked by scenes of chaos since it was tabled on Monday.
The bill aims to set aside a third of seats in parliament for women Campaigners say the way India treats its women is shameful
An opposition Bharata Janata Party (BJP) leader Arun Jaitely, speaking in parliament on Tuesday, said the uproar was "one of the most shameful moments of India's parliamentary democracy".An opposition Bharata Janata Party (BJP) leader Arun Jaitely, speaking in parliament on Tuesday, said the uproar was "one of the most shameful moments of India's parliamentary democracy".
Earlier, seven MPs had been forcibly removed from the upper house by security guards, after they refused to leave having been suspended for disorderly behaviour.Earlier, seven MPs had been forcibly removed from the upper house by security guards, after they refused to leave having been suspended for disorderly behaviour.
The MPs had shouted slogans, snatched papers from Vice President Hamid Ansari's table, torn them and thrown them at him.The MPs had shouted slogans, snatched papers from Vice President Hamid Ansari's table, torn them and thrown them at him.
The MPs are all members of three parties opposing the women's bill: the Samajwadi Party (SP), Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and Loktantric Janata Party (LJP).The MPs are all members of three parties opposing the women's bill: the Samajwadi Party (SP), Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and Loktantric Janata Party (LJP).
While India's main parties back the legislation, smaller socialist parties argue it will reduce representation of minorities and socially disadvantaged groups.While India's main parties back the legislation, smaller socialist parties argue it will reduce representation of minorities and socially disadvantaged groups.
They want set quotas for women from Muslim and low-caste communities.They want set quotas for women from Muslim and low-caste communities.
There are currently 59 women in the 545-member Lok Sabha. Under the proposals their numbers would rise to 181.There are currently 59 women in the 545-member Lok Sabha. Under the proposals their numbers would rise to 181.
The composition of the 248-seat upper house, which at present has 21 women, will not be affected as its members are indirectly elected by state assemblies.The composition of the 248-seat upper house, which at present has 21 women, will not be affected as its members are indirectly elected by state assemblies.
India already reserves a third of local governing council seats in towns and villages for women, a move that has significantly increased their role in decision-making.India already reserves a third of local governing council seats in towns and villages for women, a move that has significantly increased their role in decision-making.