A number of local assemblies around the country are calling for the central government to allow online deliberations and voting, which is currently limited to committee sessions and not allowed for plenary sessions.
At present, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications permits local assemblies to hold online sessions and votes for committees. But assembly members argue that allowing online access to plenary sessions would make it easier for them to hold deliberations in the event of a disaster or pandemic.
In an effort to change the current system, a nonpartisan group of about 120 assembly members promoting the active participation of child-rearing colleagues submitted a petition to the internal affairs ministry in April requesting full online access. They claim that it will help them juggle work with child care or nursing care.