India's lower house votes to reserve third of seats for women

NEW DELHI: India's lower house of parliament passed on Wednesday a bill that would more than double the number of female lawmakers in its ranks, following several failed attempts to enact the measure stretching back decades.

The proposed law would reserve one-third of seats in that chamber — formally called "Lok Sabha" or House of the People — and state assemblies for women once it takes effect, which could take until at least the end of the decade.