The composition of parliamentary bodies, and of parliament as a whole, should reflect the diversity of political opinions and of social groups within a country.

The representation of political groups in the composition of parliamentary bodies is usually proportionate to the representation of these political groups in parliament as a whole. Parliaments often give special consideration to smaller political groups and independent MPs to ensure their effective representation.

The composition of a democratic parliament should reflect diverse political opinions as well as different groups in society. A parliament that is unrepresentative of its society will leave some social groups and communities feeling disadvantaged in, or even excluded from, the political process, with consequences in terms of the quality of public life or the stability of the political system and society in general.

Parliament Parliament A national body of elected (or sometimes appointed) representatives that makes laws, debates issues and holds the government to account. plays a key role in setting the legal framework for free and fair elections. Elections constitute the cornerstone of any democratic society and should provide voters, candidates and political parties with equal opportunities for participation, a level playing field and a safe environment.

It takes strategic and concerted effort and resources to make parliament accessible to all groups. This often requires proactive outreach and collaboration with others who can connect with certain groups within the community and bridge the divides that exist.

Parliaments have a responsibility to create an environment that allows civil society to make its voice heard. They therefore need to engage with civil society organizations (CSOs) and ensure that participatory processes are both inclusive and invite input from diverse groups.

This indicator concerns the practical application of policies on public participation in the core work of parliament. It recognizes that participation is an active process that provides members of the public with a genuine opportunity to influence parliamentary work, as well as to be consulted on and informed about it. Providing the public with feedback on the results of their participation contributes to the credibility of these mechanisms and processes.

This indicator assesses the legal framework for public participation, as well as parliament’s institutional capacity to implement those provisions in practice.

This indicator also focuses on public education about the work of parliament, which aims to increase trust in parliament and broaden opportunities for citizens to communicate their interests. In order to maximize participation, the public should know not just where and when parliamentary processes take place, but also how they can participate in and influence decision-making.