Challenges and solutions for e-parliaments.
Some challenges facing several e-parliaments include;
Limited resources
Local financial management for parliaments frequently suffer from lacking technological infrastructure and capacity. However, investment in technology will add real value to them in terms of efficiency and cost- saving.
2. Lack of quality and archived parliamentary data
Data, should be good quality, accurate, complete, reliable, timely and relevant. Lack of any of these leads to bias or poor decision making. Good quality data is essential for parliaments to make accurate decisions, enhance transparency and accountability.
3. Insufficient skills among MPs and parliamentary staff
Some MPs and parliamentary staff are not computer literate which affects their productivity as they do things manually. It is important to improve this by working on their literacy level.
4. Security Issues
Parliament being a government body, possesses a lot of sensitive data. Its security is very important to avoid theft, leakage of sensitive information, legal liability and corruption of data. Hence, parliaments should invest heavily in technological products that will ensure security.
Some solutions already in use by several parliaments include;
Installing the appropriate and secure digital infrastructure
This has been done in the meeting rooms and chambers to allow the members to register, work, meet remotely and access documents. Infrastructure like plenary devices allow them to vote, live stream the proceedings; video record the plenary and committee sessions and digitally track amendment of bills.
2. Digitizing parliamentary information ; minutes, Hansard and library books for the MPs, staff and citizens by uploading them on the parliaments’ portals to encourage transparency and empower the MPs.
3. Training of MPs and parliamentary staff on the available systems.
Some MPs insist on using hardcopies instead of softcopies because of inadequacies in computer skills. Thriving parliaments have training programs for their MPs on how to use parliamentary systems.
4. Developing and implementing a formal citizen engagement policy.
Parliaments should have a communication policy that should be used on social media for MPs to encourage public participations in the proceedings. Additionally, they should develop parliamentary applications for better optimization on mobile devices as majority of citizens use mobile devices across the internet.
5. Implement the pre-conditions necessary for the effective rollout of e-Parliament.
IPU report, 2020, indicates that 37% of parliaments could not hold remote plenaries because it was considered illegal. Therefore, parliaments need to strengthen laws concerning parliamentary technologies. Security might be their key concern in not legalizing remote attendance and functioning of the parliaments.
However, the parliamentary systems should use encryption to secure data. This added with cloud-based technologies and distributed databases for storage and back up in ensuring data security, and for archiving parliamentary data should be enough reasons to give them confidence in parliamentary systems.
In conclusion,
A virtual Parliament or e-parliament, is a very important tool in shaping the future of parliaments. It will help the legislators become more efficient, improve citizen engagement and encourage the younger generation to join the parliament and participate in democratic processes. It will also allow parliaments in Africa, to progress into a new era. The future is definitely digital and parliaments that will adopt new technologies will thrive best.
The benefits Virtual Parliament offers in digitizing parliaments (e-parliaments):
Increased accessibility, Virtual parliaments makes it easier for lawmakers to participate in parliamentary proceedings, regardless of their location. This can be particularly beneficial for lawmakers who have disabilities, or who may not be able to travel to the physical location of the parliament due to other commitments.
Helps legislators perform their duties more effectively and efficiently. It provides legislators and legislative staff with a robust platform for remote working; video and audio conferencing, easier and quicker access to documents, business information processing and management of documents for improved efficiency thereby streamlining processes.
Improves engagement with citizens, and encourages younger generations to join parliamentary sessions and participate in the democratic process.
It increases citizens’ participation through engaging with them and effectively creates a positive perception toward building public trust in legislative institutions
It reduces cost of traveling, expansion on the physical infrastructure, employment of more staff members and paper work in legislative work, which overall results in contributing towards positive climate change. This is beneficial to governments as the can redirect resources to other arears of need most especially in emerging economies with insufficient resources.
Enhances actualization of legislative agenda; decision making. Experts and law makers can easily attend sessions without physical presence. This increases the overall level of participation in the democratic process and it helps to ensure that all voices are heard.
Virtual Parliament’s system is indeed a critical tool in shaping the parliaments of the future, and their role in strengthening institutions and promoting transparency and accountability. Furthermore, there is a need for better engagement with civil societies to support parliament’s linkage with the electorates and enhance the image of parliament.