The Parliament has approved new regulations outlining the procedures for conducting public referendums to gauge public opinion.

Under the Public Referendum Act, Parliament may hold a referendum on matters it considers significant, or to determine public opinion on a bill that the President has returned without ratification for constitutional amendment.

The new regulations allow both individual Members of Parliament and the Speaker to propose motions for referendums. In cases where a bill has been returned for reconsideration, the Speaker is authorised to submit the proposal to seek public opinion.

Once a motion for a referendum is submitted, it must be referred to a parliamentary committee, either permanent or temporary, for evaluation. The committee is required to present its report to Parliament within 14 days of submission.

A resolution to hold a referendum can only be passed with a majority vote of all Members of Parliament. However, a motion to return a bill requires the unanimous agreement of 42 out of the 43 members present at the sitting.