E-Governance Initiatives at the Union Level in Bangladesh: Assessing their Operation and Advancement

Abstract

E-Governance initiatives promise to transform governance and enhance service delivery at the union level in Bangladesh. This study examines the effectiveness and challenges of implementing these initiatives in Kushtia Sadar Upazila, focusing on service recipients and providers. A mixed-method approach including surveys and interviews was used with 200 service recipients and 100 service providers. The study found that 80% of service recipients and 85.5% of service providers were male, indicating gender imbalances. Additionally, 83% of service recipients had digital literacy skills, but only 16.58% gained these skills through formal education, often citing inadequate materials and unskilled trainers. Key challenges included infrastructural constraints, bureaucratic hurdles and a lack of awareness among service recipients. Server downtime and poor internet connectivity were the major findings where 74% were exposed to poor internet connectivity and 48% had significant disruption of server problem. Despite these obstacles, 79.5% of service recipients expressed optimism about e-governance reducing corruption and improving governance practices. Recommendations stemming from the findings include infrastructural investments, capacity-building programs and enhanced citizen engagement initiatives. The study underscores the transformative potential of e-governance initiatives at the union level and highlights the need for concerted efforts to address implementation challenges and maximize benefits for citizens.