The Launch of Digital Opposition: Efforts to Hold Government Accountable Through Technology

Youth have initiated a digital opposition to track the 100-day commitments made by the Rashtriya Swatantra Party-led government. This digital opposition will monitor the government’s 100-point agenda based on facts and evidence. Key focuses include tracking MPs’ attendance, legislative bills, and encouraging citizen participation. Kathmandu, 26 Chaitra. Under the slogan ‘Government Hundred Promises in Hundred Days!’, youth have established this platform with the objective of scrutinizing every promise made by the RSP-led government.

The background of this digital opposition states, ‘We voted with the hope of changing the country. But democracy does not end at the ballot box; it inspires renewed awareness and questions. The government has made a 100-day pledge; now, we have created the digital opposition to observe this from an opponent’s perspective and to raise awareness.’ The website shows a countdown based on the government’s prescribed timeline in days, hours, minutes, and seconds. Upon accessing the site, users can skip a welcome message to see more detailed information.

These youths, aiming to hold the government accountable through technology, wish to keep their identities anonymous. They intend to pose factual questions from behind the scenes. According to one of the organizers, ‘The power of technology does not require promoting any single individual. We will issue warnings wherever possible, but none of us seeks political office. We will question and alert the government impartially, without bias.’

Even though parliamentary opposition is weak, their goal is to empower the public’s voice through technology. They point out that with the ruling party’s overwhelming numerical strength, the opposition’s role is limited, increasing the risk of weakening government accountability. Digital opposition has been established to enhance the citizen’s watchdog role effectively within democracy.

The most significant feature of the digital opposition is its ‘100 Promises Tracker.’ This tool publicly displays, based on evidence and facts, whether the commitments made by the ruling parties are implemented in practice and not just on paper. It will track the government’s 100-point agenda and provide an objective evaluation of performance.

Information for each Member of Parliament will be available on the platform. Citizens can easily understand their representatives’ roles in parliament, attendance records, and instances when they raised public concerns. To access this data, users must create an ID and login on the website. Additionally, a ‘Bill Tracker’ will systematically study the drafting to decision-making process of bills submitted to parliament. This aims to use digital vigilance to prevent policy corruption and the enactment of laws against public interest.

The digital opposition’s countdown timer displays the remaining time for the government to complete its promised performance. This platform will not only allow citizens to observe but also enable direct participation to raise awareness. Through ‘Citizen Public Opinion,’ it promises to facilitate direct involvement in governance processes. Public opinion on matters of national importance will be collected and submitted to government and parliament.

Another platform, ‘Pratipaksh.com,’ is also operational to track government promises and expose facts if commitments fail. Operating under the slogan ‘Voice of the People, Accountability of Power,’ it aims to raise government awareness via digital monitoring. It includes commitments, implemented actions, and failures, functioning as a promise tracker for the government.

Emphasizing that a strong opposition is necessary alongside a strong government, these youths are cultivating a new culture of government accountability through digital opposition.