Dimension: 6.2.2 Participation in oversight
This dimension covers public participation in parliamentary oversight, the vital process by which parliament holds the executive to account on behalf of the public. Involving the public directly or indirectly in oversight can greatly enhance the quality of accountability. Oversight activities in the chamber(s), by committees and in electoral districts can provide a platform for informing, consulting and interacting with the public.
Much public participation is likely to occur in through work of parliamentary committees, since processes such as accepting submissions, holding public hearings and meetings, and operating on-the-ground inspections lend themselves to involvement by the public.
Parliaments should have robust procedures and well-developed processes for encouraging public participation in all aspects of committee work. MPs should also engage with, inform and consult their constituents on matters to be dealt with by parliament, including on their work on committees, on debates on matters of significance, and on their oversight responsibilities in relation to the executive.
Aspiring goal
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Assessment criteria
No 1: Legal framework
The legal framework establishes parliament’s obligation to facilitate public participation in oversight processes and activities.
No 2: Mechanisms and processes
Mechanisms and processes are in place for the public to participate in oversight activities, including robust procedures to encourage public participation in all aspects of the work of parliamentary committees. Reference material explaining how the public can contribute to parliamentary oversight is made widely available by parliament.
No 3: Accessibility
Plain, easy-to-understand language is used to inform the public about parliamentary oversight activities, and relevant documents are made available to a wide range of groups in a timely manner . Members of the public are consulted at a time and in a place that allows for maximum participation by a wide range of groups, taking into account the complexity of the issue in question.
No 4: Practice
In practice, public participation is a regular feature of parliamentary oversight. A wide range of members of the public regularly contribute to parliament’s oversight activities.
How to complete this assessment
This dimension is assessed against several criteria, each of which should be evaluated separately. For each criterion, select one of the six descriptive grades (Non-existent, Rudimentary, Basic, Good, Very good and Excellent) that best reflects the situation in your parliament, and provide details of the evidence on which this assessment is based.
The evidence for assessment of this dimension could include the following:
- Provision(s) from the legal framework establishing parliament’s obligation to ensure public participation in oversight
- Laws and/or rules of procedure setting out the framework for public participation in the full range of oversight activities
- Guidance documents detailing how the public can participate in parliamentary oversight processes, such as the work of parliament, committees and MPs
- Information about public participation in oversight activities published on the parliamentary website, in pamphlets (including distribution information) and/or in any other format
Where relevant, provide additional comments or examples that support the assessment.
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The assessment of indicators involves diagnosing and considering strengths and weaknesses, i.e. the things parliament is doing well, and the things it could do better or more effectively, taking into account established good practices that are described in the indicators.
Read the assessment guidance to find out what to consider when conducting an assessment against the Indicators. Find out how to prepare, how to set the objectives of the assessment, how to organize the process, and more. Contact the project partners for expert advice.
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