Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad on Thursday clarified that MPs are not required to bow to the Chair when entering, leaving, taking or vacating their seats in the House, as the relevant provision was removed from the Rules of Procedure two decades ago.

Delivering a ruling from the Chair, the Speaker said the issue was raised through points of order by lawmaker Mohammad Mujibur Rahman of Rajshahi-1 on June 16 and lawmaker Joynal Abdin Faruk of Noakhali-2 on June 17 regarding the practice of showing respect to the presiding officer by bowing.

The Speaker said he had earlier informed the House that the matter would be examined and a decision communicated after reviewing the relevant rules and records.

Referring to Rule 267(1) of the Rules of Procedure, he noted that the current provision states: “During a sitting of Parliament, a member shall show respect to the Chair when entering or leaving the House and when taking or vacating his or her seat.”

He said the word “bowing” was removed from the rule through an amendment adopted in 2006.

The Speaker explained that the Standing Committee on the Rules of Procedure of the Eighth Parliament submitted a report to the House on September 20, 2006.

The report was considered and adopted by Parliament on September 26, 2006, and included the amendment to Rule 267(1).

“Therefore, the word ‘bowing’ no longer exists in Rule 267(1) of our Rules of Procedure,” he said.

The Speaker said the existing rule only requires members to show respect to the Chair and does not prescribe any specific form of salutation or gesture.

“In accordance with their respective religious customs and practices, honourable members may show respect to the Speaker’s Chair or to the presiding officer,” he said.