National Assembly goes digital

Parliament of Malawi has gone digital in a bid to improve service delivery.

Courtesy of the United Nations Development Programme, there is now an e-chamber, an electronic system expected to help in the management of documents and deliberations as well as facilitate online voting.

Speaking in an interview yesterday, Parliament spokesperson Ian Mwenye said the digital system will ensure that Parliament business is handled with speed.

He said the system will enhance access and sharing of information, but also reduce paper work.

“MPs will be able to access important documents electronically on the gadgets. This will reduce paper work but also reduce costs,” said Mwenye.

He said the system will also reduce time for voting when the House goes into deciding something by vote.

But Mwenye said the gadgets will only be used inside Parliament and that legislators will have to be present to attend deliberations.

Commenting on the initiative, Leader of Opposition in Parliament George Chaponda said the electronic system will lead to effective participation of members.

“It will bring changes as long as people are trained to the satisfaction of all. If not properly trained it can also bring about delays and affect participation,” he said.

Leader of United Democracy Front in Parliament Ned Poya said the e-chamber is a step in the right direction as the world has gone digital.

The e-chamber is in line with Parliament’s strategic plan for 2021-2026 which promotes digital transformation of Parliament for improved service delivery.