Introduction

The implementation of digitalisation in the legislative process is becoming increasingly important in modern society. In this essay, we will discuss the creation and implementation of the digitalisation of the legislative process in the National Assembly of the Azerbaijan Republic. We will explore various aspects of digitalisation, including the management of different types of data, transcription services, and the establishment of digital systems to improve the efficiency of the legislative process.

Types of Data and Their Formats

The legislative process in Azerbaijan starts with the introduction of legislative projects from the legislative initiator. These documents are then discussed in various meetings, such as committee meetings, plenary sessions, and public discussions. As a result, a large number of documents, audio files, and video files are created and need to be managed efficiently. The National Assembly uses several formats for these files, such as docx, PDF, and HTML for text documents; JSON for expanding the system; waf for audio files; and MP4 for video files. The choice of these formats ensures compatibility and accessibility for users.

Transcription and Its Challenges

Transcription is an important part of the process, as it allows the public to access parliamentary discussions in an easily digestible format. Transcription can be done through either manual or automated methods. However, there are several challenges involved in transcription, including:

1. Errors in the conversion process: Both human transcribers and automated software can make mistakes when converting speech to text.
2. Speakers not adhering to grammatical rules: Parliamentarians often do not follow strict grammatical rules during their speeches, making the transcription process more difficult. As a result, a team of editors is usually required to correct and polish the transcripts.
3. Time-consuming nature of transcription: According to a book published jointly by the United Nations and the Interparliamentary Union, 53% of Parliaments publish draft versions of transcripts within 24 hours, while final edited versions take 1-2 weeks to be published.
4. Potential intervention by deputies in the editing process: Some parliaments allow deputies to edit their transcriptions, which can create inconsistencies and distort the meaning of discussions.

Digital Systems in the Azerbaijan National Assembly

The Azerbaijan National Assembly has implemented several digital systems to improve the efficiency and transparency of the legislative process.

1. Verbatim Record System: Established in 2007, this system focuses on recording audio files of each parliamentarian’s speech and provides a fully automated process that generates files according to the speeches of parliamentarians.
2. Agendas of Parliamentary Meetings: This system allows parliamentarians to access the text of laws, annexations, and other legislative information through a touch screen monitor. A virtual keyboard search feature enables users to find any law and see its history of changes.
3. Event Tracking System: In 2010, the National Assembly considered creating a system that could reflect the agenda and events taking place inside the parliament. This system aims to provide consistent, up-to-date information on parliamentary activities and documents.
4. Legislative Base: To better track changes in legislation, a list of amendments to the Code of Administrative Offenses has been created, along with the initial version of the law and the latest version. This comprehensive resource aids legislative analysis and research.
5. Parliamentary Library System: This system includes features such as announcements of future sessions, news sections, plenary sessions, attached documents, direct links to the agenda and protocols of meetings, and more. It also provides extensive information about each member of Parliament, including their involvement in meetings with voters and official meetings.
6. Statistical Data and Analysis: The digitalisation process offers interesting statistics about the structure of the Parliament, such as the percentage of party representatives and the number of female parliamentarians. This information is valuable for understanding the demographics and diversity of the legislative body.

Conclusion

The digitalisation of the legislative process in the Azerbaijan National Assembly has led to several innovative solutions that increase efficiency, transparency, and accessibility. By implementing various digital systems to manage different types of data, improve transcription services, and provide comprehensive legislative information, the National Assembly has made significant progress in embracing technology to enhance the democratic process.

These advancements not only benefit the parliamentarians and staff within the National Assembly but also ensure that the public has better access to information regarding the legislative process. This openness fosters trust and engagement between citizens and their representatives, thus strengthening the foundations of democracy.

Moreover, the digital systems implemented in the Azerbaijan National Assembly can serve as a model for other legislative bodies around the world, as they demonstrate the potential benefits of embracing technology in the legislative process. As technology continues to evolve and improve, it is vital for parliaments worldwide to stay updated and adapt to these changes, ensuring that the democratic process remains efficient, transparent, and accessible for all citizens.

For those interested in exploring the digital systems used by the Azerbaijan National Assembly in greater detail, the Parliament’s official website offers a “software” section, which provides comprehensive presentations on the various digital systems and their features. By reviewing this information, users can gain a deeper understanding of how technology is transforming the legislative process in Azerbaijan and potentially apply these insights to their own contexts.