KATHMANDU: Speaker of the House of Representatives, Devraj Ghimire, has emphasized that the strength and legitimacy of modern parliaments depend not only on traditional mechanisms, but increasingly on digital access and the trust of the public.
Speaking at the Sixth World Conference of Speakers of Parliaments organized jointly by the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and the United Nations (UN) in Geneva, Switzerland from July 29–31, Ghimire highlighted the urgent need for legislative bodies around the world to adapt to the ongoing digital transformation.
“The strength of the parliament today is not merely in the papers but rests on digital access and public trust,” Ghimire told participants while addressing the session on ‘What will be the role of parliamentarians in shaping our digital future?’
Ghimire called for greater investment in digital infrastructure, cyber security, internet literacy, and data protection, arguing that without such support, parliaments risk falling behind in their mandate to represent and serve the people. “The parliament should be developed as a leading institution rather than keeping itself behind in the era of digital transformation,” he said.
Noting how lawmakers are increasingly using social media and digital platforms to interact with the public and shape policies based on real-time citizen feedback, Ghimire also warned about the growing risks posed by misinformation and propaganda. He stressed the responsibility of legislatures to promote digital literacy as a safeguard.
In his address, the Speaker also outlined Nepal’s recent efforts to modernize its own legislative processes. He announced that the Federal Parliament of Nepal is currently conducting a study on the use of artificial intelligence in legislative management. In addition, Nepal is in the process of drafting two major bills—one on artificial intelligence and another on social media regulation.
“These technological advancements provide important opportunities to enhance transparency, efficiency, and public participation in the functioning of the parliament,” he said, citing tools like online broadcasting, e-parliament systems, digital records, and electronic voting systems that are already in use.
Ghimire concluded by reaffirming Nepal’s commitment to embracing innovation in governance and ensuring that parliaments remain connected to the people they serve.
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