* 269 votes in favor of the bill and 198 against it*
New Delhi: The ‘One Nation, One Election’ Bill was passed in the Lok Sabha today with 269 votes in favor and 198 against. The voting, which was conducted through electronic machines for the first time in the House, saw no MPs absent.
Following the vote, some MPs raised objections, prompting Home Minister Amit Shah to suggest that members who had concerns submit slips to amend their votes. Speaker Om Birla also clarified the process, reassuring MPs that any member could change their vote if necessary.
Before the vote, Speaker Om Birla outlined the voting procedure and assured MPs that the bill would be sent to a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) for a comprehensive discussion. He emphasized that members from all parties would be included in the JPC deliberations, and once the bill returns to the House, MPs would be given ample time for debate.
The bill was initially presented by the Union Law Minister, who proposed referring it to the JPC. After the voice vote, the opposition demanded a division, leading to the formal voting process. The proposal will now undergo detailed discussions in the JPC before any further steps are taken.