The People’s Majlis has announced plans to introduce formal guidelines for guests attending parliamentary proceedings, following disruptions during the committee stage of the Maldives Media and Broadcasting Regulation Bill. 

The decision was confirmed by Deputy Speaker of Parliament Ahmed Nazim at the conclusion of Parliament’s 7th special sitting of 2025.

Deputy Speaker Nazim explained that some guests present at the Independent Institutions Committee session on the Media Bill had behaved in ways that obstructed proceedings and breached parliamentary decorum. A report on the matter has been submitted to the Sergeant-at-Arms and referred to the General Committee for further action.

The new regulations will outline conduct expected from guests and specify penalties for those who violate the rules. According to the Deputy Speaker, these provisions will be incorporated into the Parliament’s standing regulations to prevent similar incidents in future.

In addition, the Deputy Speaker noted that the matter of damage to sound equipment, caused during a scuffle between two MPs at the same meeting, will be forwarded to the Parliament’s Ethics Committee.