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Code of ConductHome འཐུས་མི། ཀུན་སྤྱོད་རྣམ་གཞག།

Code of Conduct of a Member

Code  of  Conduct  is  a  set  of  written  and  unwritten  rules describing the appropriate behavior and conduct necessary for the National Council to carry out its parliamentary duties. Parliament may, from time to time, make laws to regulate the conduct of a member. Among others, Chapter 11 of the National Council of Bhutan Act 2008 stipulates the following:

  1. Place the highest importance to serving the Tsa-Wa-Sum with utmost loyalty and dedication, and fulfill his/her responsibilities by following the highest moral principles.
  2. Not  indulge  in  any  activity  that  adversely  affects  the National  Council,  national  sovereignty  and  integrity  of Bhutan and is  responsible to the Druk Gyalpo and the National Council for his/her actions.
  3. Not  be  influenced  in  any  manner  whatsoever  by  any individual  or  body  of  individuals  in  the  discharge  of his/her duties.
  4. Always uphold first and foremost the national interest in discharging his/her duties and functions.
  5. Refrain from casting his/her vote on any issue where he/she has a conflict of interest.

a) General Conduct

  1. A member must ensure that his personal conduct is consistent with the dignity, reputation and integrity of the National Council;
  2. A member must at all times conduct himself / herself in a courteous and respectful manner and respect the authority of the Chairperson. In particular, he/she must not speak or leave the House when the Chairperson is speaking and speak standing at his/her place while addressing the Chairperson and the National Council;
  3. A member must not conduct himself/herself in a manner that would constitute a criminal offence or contempt of the National Council;
  4. A member must not display any disorderly conduct in the National Council Hall.
  5. Foul language, loud laughter and clapping are not permitted in the National Council Hall;
  6. A member must address the National Council one by one and avoid using improper language in expressing their views during the deliberation;
  7. Under  compelling  circumstances,  if  a  member  has  to leave  the   National  Council  Hall,  he/she  must  lower his/her  kabney/rachu  and  bow  while  leaving  and  re- entering as a gesture of respect to the House;
  8. A member must not unduly influence the Government officials  or   Ministers  in  a  case  in  which  he/she  is financially or personally  interested nor elicit information from the Government in an unauthorized manner;
  9. A  member  must  not  appear  before  a  Minister  or  a Government official in his/her capacity as a lawyer, legal advisor, counsel or a solicitor;
  10. A member must not recommend any of his/her relations or other persons with whom he/she has direct or indirect interest for employment or business contracts to Government officials;
  11. A member who has the floor under proper procedure should not be interrupted by other members; and
  12. A member must not impose threat, intimidation or use individual influence to encourage another member to make any remarks in the National Council.

b)  Incompatibility

A Member of the National Council must not:

  1. Purchase or lease any government property even if the sale or lease has been offered in public auction;
  2. Simultaneously belong to different committees, commissions or boards except as otherwise provided by law made by Parliament;
  3. Be assigned any responsibility that may be reasonably construed to have conflict of interest;
  4. Undertake private employment or perform any function, which is liable to impair public confidence;
  5. Misuse official status, power or public property;
  6. Indulge in illegal or improper means; or
  7. Hold office of profit.

c) Other Obligations

  1. A member must not accept decorations from foreign countries and has to inform the National Council before receiving international awards.
  2. The National Council will decide whether the international award in question can be accepted by the member.
  3. A member must not maintain or operate bank accounts in any country outside Bhutan.
  4. During parliamentary delegations to foreign countries, a member must not give press statements regarding the visit.  Such briefings of the press will be done by the leader of the delegation.
  5. A member must respect the apolitical nature of public service.

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