INTERACTIVE: In the Covid-19 era of virtual meetings, physical sittings still the norm for many parliaments worldwide

PETALING JAYA: At least 68 parliaments worldwide are meeting physically despite Covid-19 but with some modifications, according to data from the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU).

These changes include fewer sittings and committee meetings as well as changes to the meeting venue to meet public health and social distancing measures.

The IPU is a global organisation of national parliaments with 179 members and 12 associate members.

It is tracking how 95 countries are holding their parliament meetings ever since the pandemic broke out.

IPU’s figures showed that virtual meetings are becoming an increasingly popular option.

In Malaysia, the Dewan Rakyat will hold a one-day physical meeting tomorrow.

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Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Mohamad Ariff Md Yusof had stated that the meeting would only feature the opening address by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, citing concerns over the Covid-19 outbreak.

On March 31, the government had dismissed calls for an emergency Parliament sitting to review its RM250bil economic stimulus package, saying there was an immediate danger from Covid-19.

Malaysia’s Parliament will next meet on July 13 for 15 days.

IPU’s data shows that while parliaments in many countries are still holding some of their meetings physically, virtual meetings via video conferencing are becoming increasingly common.

For example, 28 or nearly one-third of the 95 countries either allow some of their lawmakers to attend meetings remotely or hold a mix of physical and virtual meetings.

Many parliaments are also exploring options for remote working tools.

IPU noted that video-conferencing tools such as Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Cisco Web Meetings and Google Meet are among the most popular choices for virtual parliamentary meetings.

"Parliaments are passing emergency legislation to protect their populations, especially vulnerable people most impacted by the pandemic.

"Some parliaments such as Brazil, Chile, Maldives and Spain have fast-tracked technology for videoconferencing and remote working," said IPU.

Out of the 95 countries, 16 have allowed their parliament members to convene completely remotely, with modified laws and procedures to permit the arrangements.

"Some parliaments are also adapting quorum rules for voting remotely or looking at how they can interpret the rules," it said.

Eleven of the 95 parliaments are not meeting currently or have suspended their meetings to a later date.

Even then, arrangements are made so that meetings can be held for urgent issues related to the Covid-19 pandemic.

"Some parliaments, such as Britain, have taken an early recess after voting through a number of emergency measures.

"Others, such as New Zealand, have changed their operating procedures so that a special committee sits, rather than the whole House.

"The lack of political will or technical capacity can also prevent a Parliament from sitting," said the IPU.

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