Accessing information through Zimbabwe’s Parliamentary Constituency Information Centres (PCICs)

Abstract

This article focuses on the performance of Zimbabwe’s Parliamentary Constituency Information Centres (PCICs) in disseminating parliament generated information and providing a platform for public participation. Questionnaires were used to collect data from office assistants (OAs), members of parliament (MPs) and constituents. In-depth interviews were conducted with development partners, the Clerk of Parliament, and officers of parliament. Document analysis, site visits, and observations were also used to collect data for the study. It was found that although the introduction of PCICs was well received by various stakeholders, the information remains a critical concern because of its inadequacy and lack of currency. It was also found that there are challenges encountered in disseminating parliamentary information to constituents. The article recommends ways of improving the dissemination of parliamentary information through Zimbabwe’s PCICs.

Keywords: Parliamentary Information, Constituents, Information Dissemination, Information Access, Zimbabwe