Although legislatures and parliamentarians have not thus far been at the leading edge in their use of information technology, they have kept up with the mainstream. The rapid evolution of this technology and its growing use by society exerts pressure on legislatures and parliamentarians to exploit its possibilities. In this way, citizens have better access to – and increased participation in – their legislatures, as democracy is brought closer to the people. Parliamentarians can enjoy greater freedom, and the legislative process can be enhanced. The technology also provides useful information for those reviewing legislation or working on parliamentary committees, and facilitates communication among parliamentarians and various stakeholders.
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