The Parliament has moved decisively to formalise legislative decorum, unanimously passing a significant amendment to the Parliament Rules of Procedure regarding the attire of lawmakers.
The move, championed by the Parliamentary General Committee, comes in response to concerns raised by the Speaker of the Parliament over the increasingly casual dress code seen within the chamber, particularly the absence of neckties among some lawmakers of the 20th Parliament.
The amendment targets Article 61 of the Rules of Procedure and was initiated after the Speaker noted a lack of adherence to traditional standards of attire. The revised rules now explicitly mandate that all members appearing in session must be in formal attire during Parliament proceedings.
Under the newly formulated guidelines, formal attire is clearly defined, offering three acceptable options for legislators including suit with pants and tie, formal shirt with pants and ties and recognised national or traditional dress.
The clarification effectively establishes the tie as a mandatory component for those opting for Western formal wear, directly addressing the Speaker’s initial observation.
In addition to specifying acceptable clothing, the amendment includes clear language describing the prohibition of certain unsuitable garments in the Parliament chamber. Crucially, the House confirmed its commitment to maintaining order, stating that strict disciplinary action will be taken against members who fail to comply with the revised rules of procedure.
The measure passed the Parliament without dissent, signaling strong institutional support for upholding the dignity and professionalism of the legislative body.