As the Lok Sabha is set to introduce a new attendance system for its members from the upcoming Monsoon session of Parliament that will require them to punch in their presence through a multi-media device at the seat allotted to them,Congress whip in the Lower House, Manickam Tagore has called the move “flawed” and questioned why the prime minister and ministers were exempt if the goal was to ensure accountability.
As per the new system ,members of the Lok Sabha will now be able to mark attendance at their seats in the House, addressing a very old complaint. The new system will require MPs to mark their presence electronically from their allotted seats, replacing the current practice of signing the attendance register in the lobby.
Officials said this would help save time, as the lobbies often get crowded. They also noted that some members mark attendance and leave without attending the proceedings.It is often seen that some MPs just sign in the attendance register and go back and do not attend the session. In such a situation, if attendance can be marked by going to one's seat inside the House, it would also enhance attendance. It is not clear yet whether a similar system will be implemented in Rajya Sabha.
Marking attendance has not been easy for MPs under the current system, since many reach parliament together at 11 am, and have to rush in without signing so they do not miss the session.The MPs are considered present only after sign the register and they receive the daily allowance. There are some who just sign the register and leave without attending the day's session.
However, Tagore flagged concerns on X (formerly Twitter), citing a previous instance where the system failed during a vote on the Waqf Board. “Why repeat a flawed system?” he asked.“If attendance marking is about transparency and accountability, why are the prime minister and ministers exempted?” he said, arguing that the prime minister is usually present only “3 to 4 days out of 18 to 28” in a typical session. “Shouldn't the PM lead by example instead of being above the process?” he added.
It may be noted that, as per practice, ministers and the Leader of the Opposition are not required to sign the attendance register.
Tagore called for deeper reforms beyond digitisation, including mandatory attendance for all, public disclosure of participation records, and publication of voting behaviour. “Digital tools are only as good as the intent behind them,” he said. “If accountability is selective, the system defeats its purpose.”
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