CDT & infoDev E-Government Handbook
Introduction
The Phases of E-Government
Transforming Governments
Challenges and Opportunities
Reports and Other Resources

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Law And Public Policy

The application of ICT to government may encounter legal or policy barriers. Legislatures must ensure that laws are updated to recognize electronic documents and transactions. They must take proactive steps to ensure that policies support rather than impede e-government.

Policymakers implementing e-government must consider the impact of law and public policy. Otherwise, any initiative will encounter significant problems. The effort must incorporate a holistic view, one that is not just focused on technology. Archaic laws, old regulatory regimes, overlapping and conflicting authorities can all greatly complicate or altogether halt a project. Legal reforms and new policy directives may have to be adopted before the online world can function smoothly.

Law and Public Policy Recommendations:

  • Consult with stakeholders to assess how existing laws may impede the desired results.
  • Give legal status to online publication of government information.
  • Clarify laws and regulations to allow electronic filings with government agencies.
  • Reform processes by simplifying regulations and procedures.

Election Register, Palestine: Creating a modern and efficient election registration and tabulation system utilizing ICT.

Conducting a free and fair election always requires planning and preparation, touching on areas that include law and public policy. When the newly-created Palestinian Authority began preparations for its first election in 1996, it utilized ICT to ensure a quick, accurate and honest result. Among other steps, it had to create an entirely new legislative and regulatory framework, one that meshed with technological solutions to ensure the security and reliability of data.

Case study: http://www.aceproject.org/main/english/et/ety02.htm

Law and Public Policy Resources

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