E-Parliament soon

Bangladesh Parliament is moving to introduce an e-Parliament system to make legislative activities paperless, faster and more technology-driven, with Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad directing the formation of a committee to oversee its implementation.

The initiative was discussed at a meeting on Sunday when Deputy Speaker and Chairman of the Library Committee of the 13th Parliament Barrister Kaysar Kamal, accompanied by committee members Nayab Yusuf Ahmed and ABM Mosharraf Hossain, paid a courtesy call on the Speaker.

The meeting placed emphasis on introducing the e-Parliament system to modernise parliamentary activities and improve their speed and efficiency.

The proposed system will have both Bangla and English versions and will facilitate the digital management, preservation and exchange of parliamentary documents and information. The Speaker directed that a committee headed by the Deputy Speaker be formed to oversee the implementation process.

The committee will examine the proposed system’s structure, implementation procedure, technological requirements and related issues before taking the necessary steps. The Speaker also directed that a presentation on the proposed e-Parliament system be arranged towards the end of September.

The presentation will cover the system’s operational procedures, technological capabilities, implementation plan and other key aspects. Once introduced, various parliamentary activities and documents will be managed digitally, reducing dependence on paper while saving time and administrative costs, the meeting was told.

The system is also expected to improve the speed, efficiency and coordination of parliamentary activities. The meeting also decided to approach the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), donor countries and development agencies for technical and other support required to implement the project.

Their assistance may be sought at different stages of the project, depending on requirements.
The e-Parliament initiative is being viewed as a significant step towards establishing a paperless, modern and technology-driven Parliament.

Relevant officials of the Bangladesh Parliament Secretariat attended the meeting.