Parliament approves dress code for members

The Parliament on Monday approved a rule specifying the attire members must wear when attending sessions.

The proposal to include a dress code in the rules of procedure was submitted by Speaker Abdul Raheem Abdulla. The General Committee prepared the rule and sent it to the House based on the Speaker’s motion.

Two amendments were proposed by Ashraf Rasheed, Member of Parliament for Fares-Maathoda. The rule, with the amendments, was passed with 48 votes in favour.

Under the first amendment, members are required to wear one of the following when attending general sessions:

Female members are required to wear formal attire that does not violate the general customs of the Maldives.

The second amendment outlines the attire for the President and Vice-President during the swearing-in ceremony, for members during their swearing-in, and for the President’s address to Parliament. According to the amendment:

Members who fail to comply with the dress code will face action under the Rules of Procedure of the House. Penalties may include suspension from attending parliamentary sessions and committee meetings for a specified period.

Following the passage of the rule, Speaker Abdul Raheem Abdulla stated that all members must respect the decision.

“If any member is present in the session in violation of the rules, they are requested to comply with the rule or leave the session,” he said.