Mexico’s Senate has abolished a law that made cheating on a spouse an offence punishable by up to two years in prison.

Sixty-nine senators voted almost unanimously late on Thursday to “abolish and depenalise adultery” in the penal code, with one abstention, according to a Senate document.

Under the law, a convicted adulterer could face up to two years in jail and the suspension of their civil rights for up to six years.

The vote was “a way to condemn a crime historically construed to allow men to hold women as property,” leftist Senator Pablo Gomez, during the debate, said.

The change already passed the lower house of the bicameral National Congress and now goes to President Felipe Calderon for his signature.

The abolished law required the adultery to be committed in the marital home and for the adulterer to be caught in the act.