Itanagar: Highlighting the growing role of technology in strengthening democratic institutions, Arunachal Pradesh Assembly Speaker Tesam Pongte on Tuesday said democracy today is increasingly assessed by the transparency and effectiveness of its institutions and the degree to which citizens are actively involved in governance.
Speaking at the 86th All India Presiding Officers’ Conference in Lucknow, Pongte underscored the importance of leveraging technology to make legislative processes more transparent, efficient and citizen-centric.
He said technology has the potential to simplify legislative procedures, enhance accountability and bring citizens closer to the law-making process. In this context, Pongte noted that the Arunachal Pradesh Assembly has implemented the e-Vidhan project, enabling it to operate in a paperless and digitally integrated environment.
These digital reforms, he said, have streamlined legislative workflows, reduced reliance on physical documentation and improved public access to legislative information.
The Speaker also emphasised the need for greater citizen participation in governance, pointing out that digital platforms, online consultations and virtual hearings have expanded public engagement, particularly for people in remote and marginalised areas.
Stressing that technology should be viewed as an enabler of democratic values, Pongte said it must be backed by strong institutional commitment and responsiveness.
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He said that with the inclusive use of technology, legislatures could strengthen democratic trust, improve the quality of law-making and ensure governance that truly serves the people.
