Parliamentary bill-tracking system launched
Namibia has taken a significant step towards digital governance with the launch of an online parliamentary bill-tracking system.
The new system, developed under the Enhancing Participatory Democracy in Namibia (EPDN) programme and supported by the European Union (EU), aims to enhance transparency, public participation and accountability in the legislative process.
Speaking at the launch event earlier this week, Federico Berna, head of cooperation at the EU Delegation to Namibia, emphasised the importance of the initiative in bridging the gap between parliamentary work and citizens.
"This initiative ensures that every Namibian can easily access and engage with the legislative process. By providing real-time updates on the status of bills, it empowers citizens to follow legislative developments closely," said Berna.
He highlighted that the online system is a cornerstone of Namibia’s broader e-parliament strategy, launched in 2022. The strategy aims to modernise parliamentary processes through digital transformation and improve communication between parliament and the public.
"Beyond transparency, this system promotes inclusivity by facilitating public participation in lawmaking," Berna added. "The European Union remains a committed partner for the parliament and the government of Namibia in advancing your journey toward inclusive governance."
The launch event was attended by senior government officials, development partners, and members of parliament.
Peter Katjavivi, speaker of the National Assembly, underscored the broader vision behind the e-parliament strategy.
"The continuous implementation of an e-parliament strategy will improve the efficiency and productivity of law-making, representation, review, and oversight,” he said.
Katjavivi further emphasised Namibia’s commitment to leveraging digital tools to build a more democratic and citizen-centred parliament.
"These tools are not just digital solutions; they represent pathways to a more inclusive democracy, empowering every Namibian to actively participate in shaping the laws that govern our nation," he noted.
In addition to the bill tracking system, two other key projects were unveiled at the event: the ICT policy framework, which regulates the use of parliament’s IT infrastructure, and a forthcoming parliament mobile app. The app, once fully functional, will serve as a centralised hub for parliamentary news, updates and citizen participation.
The new system, developed under the Enhancing Participatory Democracy in Namibia (EPDN) programme and supported by the European Union (EU), aims to enhance transparency, public participation and accountability in the legislative process.
Speaking at the launch event earlier this week, Federico Berna, head of cooperation at the EU Delegation to Namibia, emphasised the importance of the initiative in bridging the gap between parliamentary work and citizens.
"This initiative ensures that every Namibian can easily access and engage with the legislative process. By providing real-time updates on the status of bills, it empowers citizens to follow legislative developments closely," said Berna.
He highlighted that the online system is a cornerstone of Namibia’s broader e-parliament strategy, launched in 2022. The strategy aims to modernise parliamentary processes through digital transformation and improve communication between parliament and the public.
"Beyond transparency, this system promotes inclusivity by facilitating public participation in lawmaking," Berna added. "The European Union remains a committed partner for the parliament and the government of Namibia in advancing your journey toward inclusive governance."
The launch event was attended by senior government officials, development partners, and members of parliament.
Peter Katjavivi, speaker of the National Assembly, underscored the broader vision behind the e-parliament strategy.
"The continuous implementation of an e-parliament strategy will improve the efficiency and productivity of law-making, representation, review, and oversight,” he said.
Katjavivi further emphasised Namibia’s commitment to leveraging digital tools to build a more democratic and citizen-centred parliament.
"These tools are not just digital solutions; they represent pathways to a more inclusive democracy, empowering every Namibian to actively participate in shaping the laws that govern our nation," he noted.
In addition to the bill tracking system, two other key projects were unveiled at the event: the ICT policy framework, which regulates the use of parliament’s IT infrastructure, and a forthcoming parliament mobile app. The app, once fully functional, will serve as a centralised hub for parliamentary news, updates and citizen participation.
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Namibian Sun
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