Digitalization of the Estonian Parliament: A Model for Efficient and Secure Governance
About the Riigikogu of Estonia. Written on September, 2021
Introduction
The digitalization of the Estonian Parliament serves as a model for efficient, secure, and citizen-centric governance in the modern age. Estonia has become a global leader in digitalization, with 99% of its government services now accessible online. This essay will explore various aspects of Estonia's Parliament digitalization, including its transition to electronic governance, its use of secure electronic authentication, and its citizen-centric approach.
The Path to Digitalization in Estonia's Parliament
Estonia's journey towards a digitalized Parliament began in 1994 when the Parliament signed the first draft policy of digitalization. The Estonian government prioritized investing in information technology solutions and e-services to create a citizen-centric approach. These developments were based on both necessity and a forward-thinking mindset.
Challenges Faced
When Estonia began building its information society, there was no digital data being collected about its citizens, and the general population did not have internet connections or devices to use it. However, the country demonstrated great courage in investing in information technology solutions and ensuring internet accessibility for its citizens.
Secure Identification and Authentication
The Estonian Parliament uses secure identification for accessing its information system through VPN. Electronic ID (eID) enables Estonian citizens and residents to provide digital proof of identity and access secure e-services. The country has implemented various eID carriers, such as Mobile ID, Smart ID, and e-Residency cards, which have helped streamline and secure the digital authentication process.
Efficient and Safe Data Exchange
Estonia's digital infrastructure is built upon the X-Road system, which has been in use since 2001. The X-Road is a software-based backbone that encrypts and transfers data securely between various government institutions. This decentralized approach allows different authorities to choose different software and service infrastructure, ensuring compatibility with the X-Road system.
Digital Voting
Since 2005, Estonia has implemented i-voting in local, national, and European Parliament elections, providing an optional and secure method for citizens to cast their votes. I-voting is location-independent, time-independent, and arguably more secure than traditional paper voting.
Artificial Intelligence in the Parliament
Estonia has also integrated artificial intelligence (AI) into its parliamentary processes, such as the 2020 Hansard Verbatim Record System. This system uses AI-based speech recognition to record proceedings in the Plenary Hall and processes the information into a text format published on the Parliament's website.
Conclusion
The digitalization of the Estonian Parliament exemplifies the benefits of embracing digital transformation in governance. It has led to increased efficiency, security, and a citizen-centric approach that caters to the needs of its constituents. As countries around the world look to adapt and evolve in the digital age, Estonia's digitalization journey offers valuable insights and lessons on how to successfully navigate the digital evolution.