Ulaanbaatar
Electronic System for Receiving Public Petitions Launched
Politics
Ulaanbaatar, October 29, 2023 /MONTSAME/. The D-Petition system, launched in 2022 as part of the D-Parliament electronic platform, allows citizens to submit petitions and requests on specific issues within the parliamentary mandate. This system is a key part of Mongolia's efforts to create a more democratic, transparent, and consultative parliament.
Citizens can use the D-Petition system to vote openly on bills submitted to parliament, as well as public opinion polls posted online. This right is enshrined in the Constitution of Mongolia, which states that the people have the right to participate in the affairs of the State through their elected representatives. The law on the State Great Khural (Parliament) of Mongolia further specifies that citizens can exercise this right by asking questions or voting on specific issues through the official electronic system of the Mongolian Parliament. A citizen of Mongolia who has attained the age of 18 years can use D-Petition system by signing through the e-service DAN system or with an electronic signature. They can create working groups on specific issues, conduct checks within the Standing Committee's mandate, and vote on bills submitted to Parliament. Each citizen can vote only once on a petition or proposal.
According to Section 3.4 of the procedure on "Enhancing Citizen Participation and Opinion Poll through Electronic System," electronic petitions must clearly state the topic, reason, and explanation, and obscene language is not allowed. If the petition garners over 100 votes, it moves to the next stage of voting, which is open in the electronic system for 30 days. If a petition for a creating working group garners 33,000 or more votes, a petition for an audit within the Standing Committee 70,000 or more votes, or a petition for a bill 100,000 or more votes, the voting process can be completed prior to the deadline.
The Secretary General of the State Great Khural is responsible for organizing the voting and technical process. The voting results are delivered to the Chairman of the State Great Khural within three working days. Petitions that meet all the requirements are discussed within 14 days during the regular session. If the regular session is on holiday, the Standing Committee considers the petition and decides within 10 days after the start of the regular or extraordinary session. However, if 100,000 or more citizens support a petition for a bill, the Chairman of the State Great Khural reports the petition to the plenary session and transfers it to the relevant Standing Committee.
