NGOs and human rights organizations complain of lack of access to public info at the Romanian Senate

A group of non-governmental organizations are asking the Romanian Senate to prioritize its investments so as to allow a transparent legislation process, after the Senate stopped displaying the electronic vote of senators. The Institute for Public Policies (IPP), on behalf of a group which also includes the Association for Human Rights in Romania – Helsinki Committee (APADOR-CH), Terra Mileniul III, among others, are calling the recent decision an obstruction of public access to important information about the legislative process.

The IPP underlines the lack of credibility of excuses such as the lack of similar electronic vote devices, which was cited by the Senate. In the last eight years, the Romanian Senate has displayed the nominal votes of Senators using the electronic vote system. On the other hand, access to the Senate room is almost impossible, the IPP complains, as the Senate representatives said the plenum hall is overcrowded with citizens attending the sessions. Romania currently has its biggest ever Parliament, with a total of 550 MPs, 382 of which in the Chamber of Deputies, and 168 in the Senate. When the new Parliament was elected, the former plenum room proved to be too small, as it could seat only 501 MPs. Instead, another room was converted into a plenum hall. editor@romania-insider.com