Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed on Sunday rejected two privilege notices raised by Rajshahi-1 MP Md Mujibur Rahman, saying they did not comply with the parliamentary Rules of Procedure.
Mujibur Rahman submitted the first notice on the sequence for granting the floor. He said many members often raise their hands at the same time during points of order or supplementary questions.
This makes it difficult for the Chair to maintain the order. He suggested that staff at the front table could record the sequence of members seeking the floor to assist the Speaker. He said this would help protect members’ rights.
Responding to the proposal, the Speaker said Secretariat officials already provide him with all necessary support. He cited Rule 54(3), which does not allow members to raise questions about the Parliament Secretariat directly on the floor.
He advised that such suggestions should be sent to him through private correspondence. He also said members must catch the Speaker’s eye directly to raise a valid point of order. He therefore rejected the notice under Rule 164.
The second notice sought a break for Isha prayers. Mujibur Rahman said that while the House allows breaks for Zuhr, Asr and Maghrib prayers, there is no provision for Isha.
The Speaker said parliamentary tradition allows breaks only for Asr and Maghrib. He said there has never been a practice of allowing a break for Isha in the House. He added that members may offer Isha prayers during the session without restriction.
He said the issue does not fall under breach of privilege. He rejected the second notice under Rule 164.
