Verbatim records or Hansard of plenary and committee meetings are fundamental records of the legislature. Historically all these records were prepared in text format. Growing ICT comes hand in hand with creating new methods and tools to document the parliamentary process and produce verbatim records of debates and votes that occur during a session. To the best of our knowledge, all existing methods are based on converting speech into text format.
     The developed method is based on the registration of actions undertaken during a parliamentary meeting. These actions include MPs' speeches, statements, and voting results. MPs' speeches and statements are kept in an audio file for each individual member. The method also allows for getting floor actions in digital format like metadata.
The metadata:

  • Members' and guests speeches and statements

    • Bill's title

    • Speaker's name

    • Audio file of every members' speech

    • Duration the speeches

  • Voting results

    • Short form of voting results

    • Roll-call voting record

    • Proposal

  • Actors(members)

  • ID: date, meeting number

  • Main actors ( President, Chairman, etc.)

Some of the advantages of the method include:

  • Speed, creating real time reports

  • Accuracy

  • Efficiency

  • Completeness, it allows the integration with workflow system with a view to collect floor actions metadata with the pre-meeting metadata automatically

  • Flexibility, creates a different from of report in digital format for a different audience

  • It is the best method for individuals who are visually impaired

  • Can be used in multiple languages parliaments when simulations translations are taking place. It allow to create real time reports in multiple languages

  • Ability to confirm the reports with electronic signature