The Digital Evolution of Legislative Processes: A Study of Porto Alegre's Municipal Chamber
About the Câmara Municipal de Porto Alegre | Brazil. Written on September, 2022
Introduction
The Câmara Municipal of Porto Alegre represents a vital component in the governmental structure of Porto Alegre, the southernmost capital city in Brazil. This institution, with its impressive history of 249 years, has undergone a significant transformation in recent years. This essay aims to explore the digital transformation journey of the Câmara Municipal of Porto Alegre, with a particular focus on the challenges faced, the solutions adopted, and the remaining issues.
The Start of the Transformation Journey
Approximately 15 years ago, an intriguing idea was proposed – that the city's councillors could cast their votes through a smartphone, from anywhere. This notion was initially met with apprehension, as fears arose about its potential impact on democracy, particularly the open debates that are a vital part of the legislative process. However, the necessity for digitalisation emerged more prominently during the COVID-19 pandemic, which rendered traditional methods of legislative operation impractical.
The Shift to Digital Operations
The urgency of the pandemic necessitated rapid adoption of digital tools, ensuring legislative activities could continue despite social distancing measures. The main objective was to enable councillors to vote and debate on critical issues remotely. The initial solution was an oversimplified legislative process using video conferencing platforms. However, this was merely a temporary fix as it did not fully encapsulate the complexities of the legislative process.
The institution later adopted a platform designed for administrative processes, adapting it to facilitate legislative operations. This step represents a significant leap forward, with about 600 propositions currently being managed through this digital process.
Challenges and Solutions
The transition to digital operations was not without difficulties. The cultural shift required was significant, given the Câmara's long history and the comfort level of many councillors with traditional, paper-based methods. This challenge was tackled through patient training of both councillors and their aides, gradually familiarising them with the digital tools.
Interestingly, the 2020 municipal elections resulted in a significant turnover in the chamber, with younger, more tech-savvy councillors coming into power. This generational shift has positively influenced the digital adoption process.
Unresolved Issues and Future Directions
Despite the success of the digital transformation, there remain certain deficiencies. The currently adopted platform does not allow for automatic publishing of legislative pieces on the Câmara's website. This issue necessitates manual publishing, a time-consuming process that occasionally results in discrepancies between the electronic platform and the website, leading to public complaints.
Moreover, the current software solutions available in the market do not fully meet the needs of the legislative process in terms of customisation. Additionally, the common business model for these software solutions involves a subscription-based service, where the customer does not own the source code. This model raises concerns about the long-term sustainability of the digital operations, particularly in scenarios where the software provider ceases to exist or changes its scope.
As such, the Câmara is considering the development of a proprietary platform. This platform would allow for complete customisation and ensure the continuity of digital operations in the long term. The ultimate goal is to create a system where citizens can have direct access to the electronic legislative process.
Conclusion
The digital transformation journey of the Câmara Municipal of Porto Alegre encapsulates the challenges and opportunities that come with modernising traditional legislative processes. While significant progress has been made, the journey is far from over. The experiences of Porto Alegre's Câmara Municipal can provide valuable insights for other legislative bodies worldwide embarking on similar digital transformation journeys.