“E-Gov.” or Electronic Governance; is government’s use of “web-based Internet applications or other information technology to enhance access to and delivery of government information and services to the public, other agencies as well as government entities; to bring about improvements in governance.
E-Gov. also allows for more transparency and accountability in government operations, participation, and innovation, among other advantages of the system.
Though the spokesperson of the National Assembly, John Agany asserts that the system would help the country fight corruption, however, on the other hand, the opposite is likely to transpire.
Corruption is clandestinely practiced by two or more individuals who connive to deprive others of their rights and this act could even more secretly be conducted by use of technology, making detection of culprits very difficult.
E-governance could pose cyber security risks where the digital platforms and data storage may be hacked. Identity theft, which compromises the confidentiality and security of citizens’ personal information, is prone.
We have already witnessed some of these challenges in social media, where individuals have come out denouncing some posts not being from legitimate sources.
Technological Glitches, Digital Literacy Challenges and Exclusion of Vulnerable Groups like the blind and the deaf, who find it difficult to cope with the system.
The worst scenario is the digital divide, which creates a barrier between fortunate citizens who have access, and the unfortunate ones, who do not.
A critical evaluation of the pros and cons of E-governance will offer us insights on how to prepare to embrace the system and when we are readily armed against its backlashes.
Let’s bridge the gaps to mitigate detrimental impacts, before starting the journey so that citizen is left behind.