Ulaanbaatar /MONTSAME/. 'D-Parliament' electronic system aimed at ensuring the public participation and citizen engagement in the legislative process was launched at State House on April 5.

The opening ceremony was attended by members of the State Great Hural and Government, and representatives of government and non-governmental organizations, citizens, the media and international organizations.

The State Great Hural of Mongolia is focusing on increasing the participation of citizens and civil society organizations in the legislative process by launching digital transition in its activities. D-Parliament’ system was introduced within the framework of the policy to improve the participation of citizens and civil society organizations, and to create opportunities for the State Great Hural to be closer to citizens and the public.

With the launching of this system, citizens, academics and anyone interested become possible to vote openly on bills submitted to parliament and on public opinion polls posted online. In addition, it serves as an official digital platform to submit petitions, request and complaints to Parliament members.

It has been 30 years since the State Great Hural officially started operating as a permanent legislature. During this period, parliamentary activities have been open to the public, but it was unsure whether the ‘people’s right to rule’ has been ensured at a sufficient level in the process of drafting, discussing and approving the law.

Representing 3,300,000 people of Mongolia, 76 members of parliament enact legislation.  In some ways, it is difficult to reflect everyone's opinion 100 percent.  Thus, the State Great Hural is introducing the digital system to strengthen e-parliament that is participatory and transparent at all levels.

The study shows that about 80 percent of Mongolia’s total households are connected to the internet, and the number of internet users has reached 2.6 million. In addition, 84.7 percent of the population uses smartphones. Since such a foundation is well established, it needs to conduct parliament’s digital transformation, noted Chairman of the State Great Khural G.Zandanshatar.

The D-Parliament electronic system has four main functions: citizen's feedback on relevant draft bill, an e-discussion platform, a channel for receiving petitions and complaints from citizens, and an online brochure about the State Great Hural’s activities. In specific, the bills submitted to the State Great Hural are being placed on the digital system. Aside from putting forth suggestions about bills, citizens are able to engage in online discussion on timely issues facing society through the digital system. If suggestions receive major supports, it will become possible to be discussed and resolved at the level of Parliamentary Standing Committee and plenary session.