Maldives Parliament- World’s First to Go Virtual

Sunday 29th of March 2020

Maldives Parliament- World’s First to Go Virtual

Maldives Parliament will become the first parliament in the world to conduct its proceedings via video conference as social distancing becomes norm to fight the coronavirus pandemic. The sessions will start from 30th March.

On 28th March, rehearsals was held during which the Speaker of the House Mohamed Nasheed participated. “The world’s parliaments cannot just stop representing their people during this crisis. The institutions of democracy must continue to function. The Maldivian parliament will go on, meeting online, and all its work will continue unimpeded," stated Nasheed.

The pandemic will change the world order; how we live; and how we produce and consume goods and services, and according to Nasheed, his country "has always managed to overcome challenges, no matter how big," and he’s "confident we will emerge from this one, and prosper once more.”

"Despite Members not being physically present in the parliamentary chambers, the work of the parliament will continue as normal, with all parliamentary functions, such as votes, debates, and committee meetings, taking place online,” said Director of Media and Communications of the Maldives Parliament, Hassan Ziyau.