India’s Modi pushing to add more female lawmakers and redraw voting boundaries

India’s Parliament has opened debate on a landmark bill to reserve one-third of seats for women, a reform that could also trigger a sweeping redrawing of electoral boundaries and heighten political tensions.

If passed, it would fast-track a 2023 law mandating 33% reservation for women in Parliament and state legislatures.

The quota is tied to a separate, contentious delimitation exercise that could expand the lower house.

The bills are being taken up during a three-day special session and will require a two-thirds majority in both houses to pass.

While there is broad support for women’s reservation, opposition parties warn the boundary changes could tilt the political balance in favor of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ruling party.