Bhutanese MPs banned from playing games in parliament
Laptops excluded from debating room
The BBC are this week reporting that fledgling democracy Bhutan has been forced into stopping MPs taking laptops into parliament, after politicians were allegedly caught playing games instead of debating national issues.
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"I have seen many of our lawmakers playing computer games when others are debating serious issues," offered parliamentary speaker Nima Tshering.
"I have no problem if the lawmakers carry their laptops and use it for data they might need during debates. But I have a major problem if they play games and look uninterested in the proceedings."
The country only held its first elections in March, and internet and computer usage has been rocketing in recent years as the small Himalayan nation joins the modern world.
"We need the laptops because that saves us the trouble of having to carry huge amounts of paper and documents," countered one anonymous MP, when asked about the gaming accusation.
It is unclear which games were being played.
