MALE, March 29 (Xinhua) -- The Parliament of Maldives has decided to conduct its sittings online with a total of 92 members in order to maintain social distancing amid the COVID-19 pandemic, local media reported Sunday.

The Maldives Parliament's General Purpose Committee has passed a policy to continue Parliament sittings via a web conference which will include the participation of 87 parliamentarians as well as the Secretary-General, Counsel General, Sergeant at Arms, and other administrative staff.

According to the new policy, all participants in the web conference will receive an agenda via SMS, and a reminder of 15 minutes before each session. Parliamentarians will also be notified if sessions are halted due to a lack of quorum and five minutes before a vote is cast.

The voting process will be conducted by questioning individual parliamentarians who will be given the option to respond yes, no or abstain. Parliamentarians can use the chat function of the conference application to request for a chance to speak during debates.

Parliament has procured the relevant software business licenses, created email addresses for staff and parliamentarians, and provided them with passwords for these accounts in order to ensure smooth functioning of the new system.

Maldives is currently under a state of public health emergency declared amid the COVID-19 outbreak that has seen 17 confirmed cases so far. Enditem

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