THIMPU, Bhutan - The national assembly in newly democratic Bhutan has stopped lawmakers from bringing laptop computers into the house for fear they might spend their time playing computer games.

"The members can be distracted playing games and viewing pictures," said Nima Tshering, speaker of the assembly.

Some lawmakers in the Himalayan kingdom, which held its first ever general election in March, had argued that laptops were more convenient than carrying around bundles of papers.

But house rules ban members from using electronic gadgets, eating and smoking.