Do government web portals matter for citizen engagement in governance? A study of rural local government digital centres in Bangladesh

Abstract

Citizen engagement in policy development and service provision is increasingly considered to be an essential feature of governance world-wide. Accordingly, means of facilitating it with positive outcomes expected are important, as appreciated in this discussion of the existence and use of digital centres and web portals embracing information and communication technology in Bangladesh. Of particular interest are such centres and portals in rural local governments as the lowest level of government in the country. The focus is on their availability, accessibility and value, with some significant limitations and inherent challenges being identified which require serious practical attention.

Keywords:

• citizen engagement
• digital centres
• web portals
• information and communication technology
• rural local governments
• planning and budgeting
• service delivery
• Bangladesh

Acknowledgement

The contribution of interviewees and focus group participants was essential in this research and is gratefully acknowledged.

Notes

1. Details on the interviews, focus group discussions and complementary information are available from the author.