At the start of each year, the IPU collects factual data from all parliaments on their annual activities during the previous year(s). This data is published in the Parline database on national parliaments (https://data.ipu.org/).
This questionnaire seeks to collect data for the year 2020, which was marked by the COVID-19 pandemic. Parliaments were affected in various ways, but in the face of numerous logistical challenges, continued to hold sessions physically or virtually (Q12), to adopt laws (Q3), to hold the government to account (Q9) -- even launching parliamentary inquiries related to the Government’s handling of the pandemic (Q10). This questionnaire captures this valuable data through 15 routine questions and 10 questions on ‘Salaries and Allowances’ that track the changes to and evolution of parliamentary mandates, working methods, administration, law-making, oversight and budget.
This and other data in the Parline database underpins analysis that supports
IPU’s Strategic objectives and monitoring the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda. It also enables IPU to tell compelling stories through comparative data visualisations. As the latest year in which data is known for a parliament (i.e. reported) is displayed in Parline, a response to this questionnaire allows parliaments to demonstrate that they continued to function and exercise their constitutional mandate in 2020, despite the challenges created by COVID-19.
Parliaments are kindly requested to complete the questionnaire by 15 March 2021.
We expect that the questionnaire should take around 4 hours to complete, depending on how easily available the information is. The preferred method is to complete the questionnaire online here. Alternatively, parliaments may complete the questionnaire in Word and return it to
parline@ipu.org.
This questionnaire has been sent to the Parline Correspondent in each parliament, with copy to the parliament’s IPU Group. Parliaments that have not yet designated a Parline Correspondent are requested to do so at the earliest opportunity. More information about Parline Correspondents is available at
https://data.ipu.org/content/parliaments along with
a 'Checklist' of what Parline updates should be reported and when.
For all questions, please contact
Ms. Addie Erwin at
parline@ipu.org.
Notes
Questions 1-8 & 23-25 are applicable to the entire parliament, whether unicameral or bicameral. For others, space is provided to report data for each chamber of a bicameral parliament.
Please provide data for the calendar year (1 January to 31 December), whenever possible. If it is not possible to provide data for the calendar year, please specify the reference period (for example, 1 April to 31 March) in the Notes field at the end of the questionnaire. Any other supporting information can also be provided in this Notes field. If the supporting information refers to a specific question, please indicate the question number.
About Parline
Parline is a unique and free source of comprehensive, accurate and up-to-date reference information on parliaments around the world. IPU depends on parliaments to regularly supply information and updates to ensure shared responsibility for Parline and the integrity of the data it houses. It provides parliaments, academics, students, international organizations, the media and many other database users with a comparative perspective on the composition and working methods of parliaments. Data is frequently used for research, correspondence, and briefing purposes. It is the official source of data for SDG indicators 5.5.1 and 16.7.1(a).
For more information about Parline, please visit the “
About” page or contact
Ms. Addie Erwin at
parline@ipu.org.