Supreme Court Issues Interim Order on House of Representatives Regulations
Summary
The Supreme Court has issued an interim order halting two controversial provisions of the House of Representatives Regulations, 2083, including a rule on constitutional amendment voting and another that could shield lawmakers from suspension. The order keeps the disputed provisions in abeyance until the final verdict, restoring the earlier parliamentary procedure and reinforcing the Constitution’s supremacy.
Key Points
- The Supreme Court’s Constitutional Bench has stayed Rule 140(11) and Rule 259 of the House of Representatives Regulations, 2083, through an interim order.
- The dispute centers on whether constitutional amendments can be advanced by a two-thirds majority of members present in both houses collectively instead of separately in each house.
- Rule 259, which treated the regulations as federal or special law for the House and its members, was seen as potentially undermining prevailing criminal and anti-corruption laws.
- Until the final verdict, the earlier constitutional procedure remains in force and MPs accused of serious offenses may still face suspension under existing laws.
