Speaker of Parliament Henry Chimunthu Banda has ruled against the use of gadgets such as laptops, iPads and phones during deliberations in the august House.
Chimunthu Banda’s determination comes after Kasungu West MP Otiria Jere rose on a point of order on Wednesday, asking whether it was in order for a minister or any other member to be using a laptop during proceedings in the House.
However, the Speaker reserved his determination until on Thursday, when he ruled that no use of handheld devices is allowed in the chamber of the UK government in which we derive much of our rules of procedures and practices, the use of laptops is not approved. Only iPads are allowed as many members use Twitter.
“In Africa, the use of laptops is prohibited. However, rules of handheld devices such as iPads are relaxed on condition that users do not disturb proceedings of the House.
“Members, the conclusion is that as far as Parliament is concerned, the use of mobile phones and any other handheld device remains disallowed in the chamber,” ruled the Speaker.
However, Chimunthu Banda was quick to say that discussion at this point remains open.
According to Chimunthu Banda, national assemblies of some countries bought these gadgets and distributed to members, which means Malawi Parliament has to come up with a budget line.
