The MPScan is an idea derived from an integrated Mobi-Parliamentary app which is an ICT enabled tool of the Parliamentary Performance Scorecard project. The Mobi-app has been designed to facilitate a platform (MPScan) for real time exchange of information between Members of Parliament (MPs) and their respective electorates. This way, MPScan is a platform that enables citizens to ‘scan’ and receive information about the work of their MPs and the House of Parliament as a whole. On the other hand, the app allows citizens to function as citizen journalists in their respective areas-recording (through voice, text and photos) occurrences in their respective areas which they would like their MPs to raise in parliament and or follow up with relevant ministries, departments and agencies of government for attainment of their peace, human rights, good governance, development and well-being.
By so doing, citizens are able to police and keep their elected representatives in check and to ensure they perform their constitutional mandate of; Legislation, Representation, Oversight, Appropriation and Exemplary Leadership to the best interests of the citizenry.
MPScan is premised on the notion that it is possible for a people in a country to exist in a representative democracy while maintaining a certain degree of active participation in influencing decision-making processes. Democracy in this thinking is based on the idea that people have the right to freely choose their leaders and hold governments accountable, and the health of any democratic dispensation rests on existence of an effective Parliament and informed citizenry.
Benefits of using Mpscan
- The most pressing issues in your constituency will be highlighted.
- You will assess how your MP is representing you in Parliament.
- You will be empowered to vote (or not vote) for your MP based no facts on his/her performance.
- You will contribute to the final rating of MPs’ performance in the Parliamentary Scorecard
How Mpscan works?
The app is part of our larger Parliamentary Performance and Civic Engagement (PAPSCE) project implemented with funding from the Democratic Governance Facility (DGF).
It facilitates real time exchange of information between the public and their Members of Parliament. It runs on the Android system in smartphones, ios on iphones and the USSD technology for the basic feature phones. Data gathered will be deposited in a web-based portal to track and manage information flow. All the information collected from voters will supplement data from Parliament (plenary and committees, which helps to determine the MPs’ level of involvement in executing their cardinal role, particularly on the areas of Legislation, Oversight, Representation, and Appropriation