Chief Whip Nurul Islam Moni today urged lawmakers not to use mobile phones inside the chamber during the ongoing session.

He also requested them not to take photographs there.

The issue came up after BNP MP Abdul Mannan of Brahmanbaria-5 finished his speech. Deputy Speaker Kayser Kamal then invited Dhaka-7 MP Hamidur Rahman to take part in the discussion on the president’s speech.

As Hamidur began speaking, the deputy speaker drew the chief whip’s attention to the matter, saying, “Many MPs are talking on mobile phones inside the chamber, and the noise is reaching here. Surely, it is disturbing both those speaking and those listening.”

Later, the chief whip said, “You have raised the matter, and all honourable members have heard it. That should settle it here.”

“If anyone needs to speak on the phone, please step outside,” he said.

He added that the speaker was also aware of the issue.

At one point, a member was heard referring to taking photos on a mobile phone. In response, the chief whip said, “Photographs are not allowed.”

He also reminded MPs to maintain proper decorum in the chamber.

“If you need to move, go around from the back. That is the rule, and it is also laid down in the Rules of Procedure. Please keep this in mind,” he said.