Remote Deliberation and Voting: Parliament Cannot Stop

This compendium, prepared by the Division for Public Institutions and Digital Government (DPIDG) of the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA), aims to capture emerging trends in digital responses of UN Member States against the COVID-19 pandemic along with other digital government initiatives and provide a preliminary analysis of their main features. These cases are shared for exchange of information so that Member States can learn from each other and possibly create new partnerships.

In order to discuss and vote on important issues during the new coronavirus pandemic, the Federal Senate held a deliberative session for remote voting on 20 March. On March 24, the House implemented the Remote Deliberation System (SDR). Through the platform, parliamentarians can debate and vote via video and audio. The system, which can be used both on a cell phone and on a personal computer, can serve the voting needs of the National Congress. This technology allows the Senate to continue deliberating in remote sessions. The purpose of the measure was to enable the continuity of parliamentary work following the recommendations made to avoid the crowding of people.

Country

Brazil

Institution

Brazilian Federal Senate