Developing parliamentary web portals for citizens, MPs and related groups — Challenges and proposed solutions

Parliaments in most developing countries tend to be closed institutions. There is a need for them to open up and exchange timely and real information with citizens and other stakeholder groups. The development of effective parliamentary web portals can support openness and create transparency. This can benefit citizens, communities, members of parliament (MPs), parliamentary staff and other stakeholders. Aid donors and development organizations may face different challenges and problems in implementing ICT related projects in developing countries due to political unwillingness, misperceptions, cultural values and local working styles. This paper discusses the operational challenges and problems for aid assisted parliamentary web portal development projects in developing countries and offers solutions that might help in overcoming these challenges and problems.