The Bhutanese Leading the way.
The Joint sitting of parliament has passed the National Assembly (Amendment) Bill 2024, marking the conclusion of extensive deliberations and joint committee reviews. The Bill, which introduces significant amendments to the existing National Assembly Act 2008, was passed on 25th June, 2025, with overwhelming support, 50 members voted in favour, two abstained, and 11 members objected, out of 63 members present.
The passage follows the failure of the National Assembly and National Council to reach consensus on nine disputed provisions, which led to the formation of a joint committee in accordance with parliamentary procedures. After thorough discussions, the committee presented its report to the joint sitting, where the House endorsed its recommendations.
One of the notable decisions during the joint deliberation was the removal of the provision concerning Members of Parliament’s protocol from the Bill. The House agreed that this provision would be more appropriately addressed under the newly developed Protocol for Members of Parliament’s Visits to Constituencies 2024, under the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Legislative Committee chairperson Kuenga shared that the protocol guideline would only apply to members of NA not NC. The NC is yet to amend their Act. However, the plan forward is to include the provision under the Entitlement Act one’s discussion starts. Until then it will be applied by Home Ministry. Under this MPs will now be treated equally as Ministers while making dzongkhag and constituencies visits in terms of reception.
Section 254 was amended granting members a security escort when traveling across a risk-prone area.
Further section 302 was amended placing the Secretary General in the equal position level as that of the government secretary rather than ministry. Following this the section 302A & B was amended. LC chairperson said that since the section 302 is accepted its subsection follows the acceptance.
Rest of the other sections had minor amendments particularly the alignment of dzonghka terms with the English terms.
The Bill will be submitted to His Majesty the Druk Gyalpo for Royal Assent.
