To conserve resources and enhance efficiency, the current session of the Parliament has gone digital. Parliamentarians have switched to tablets replacing notepads and other forms of paper.
During this parliament session, most of the members are seen using an electronic device like an iPad instead of notepads and papers. According to the National Assembly secretariat, such an initiative will also enable online sharing of documents and easy access to documents.
“It has been helpful when parliamentarians go for constituency visits and conduct meetings. And even it has been handy during the committee meetings as well. So, for now, with the use of iPad, it has been advantageous,” said Tshencho Wangdi, the Dy. Speaker of the National Assembly.
The parliamentarians were issued an iPad each before the start of the current session, however, they have to return the iPad at the end of their terms. The National Assembly also targets to make all Acts available in digital form by next year.
“We just get a few old Acts from the library and many are not found. Under the leadership of the speaker, the National Assembly will make all Acts online from next year,” the deputy speaker added.
The e-parliament project was supported by the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance.
Tshering Zam
