Constitution could be amended to allow Parliament to meet in more than one location
The Bill will establish a legal framework that will allow Parliament to meet, with Members of Parliament spread over two or more places “if it becomes impossible, unsafe or inexpedient for Parliament to meet at one place”.
SINGAPORE — Parliament will soon be able to meet in more than one place at a time, if a Bill that will be introduced next week by Leader of the House Grace Fu is passed.
Called the Constitution of the Republic of Singapore (Amendment) Bill 2020, it will establish a legal framework that will allow Parliament to meet, with Members of Parliament (MPs) spread over two or more places “if it becomes impossible, unsafe or inexpedient for Parliament to meet at one place”.
The Bill will enhance Parliament’s ability to function even in exigencies such as Covid-19, the Office of the Leader of the House and Office of the Clerk of Parliament said in a statement on Monday (April 27).
Right now, Parliament is required by law to meet in one place.
The statement said the presence of MPs at any of the appointed places will still count for “attendance, quorum and voting purposes”, and that the powers, immunities and privileges of Parliament will be extended to apply to these arrangements.
“The mechanism for these continuity arrangements will be active for six months after the Bill is enacted and comes into force. In future, they can be activated by Parliament for six months at a time. They can also be deactivated at any time by a resolution of Parliament,” the statement added.
It said that the continuing Covid-19 outbreak is a good reminder that Parliament must be enabled to carry out its duties and pass laws that serve Singapore and Singaporeans even in exigencies.
Speaker of Parliament Tan Chuan-Jin has been consulted, and his views and input on parliamentary law and procedures have been considered, the statement added.
