3,000,000 Added if the New Electoral Bill Passes Tokyo, Feb. 18.
According to an announcement made by the Home Office to-day, the national electorate will be increased by over 3,000,000 and will total 16,307,000 if the Diet passes the Electoral Reform Bill, lowering the age qualification to 26 years, which is now under discussion.
In addition 13,563,000 women will receive a local' franchise if the [Women's Citizenship Bill is passed, This Bill, which has been introduced joy the Government, proposes grant women equal franchise rights ith men in elections for-city, town, Jand village autonomous, assemblies and is regarded asa preliminary step to granting the national fran-
A similar Bill, introduced by private members" during the last session of the-Diet, was, passed by. the Lower House bit shelved by. the House of Peers—Reuter.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.