The active participation of citizens in the development of a
country has been promoted as a prerequisite for any meaningful democratic
system. Participation serves both to empower the citizenry and provide
legitimacy to governments. Citizens today in developed as well as developing
countries demand a greater say in matters which affect their lives. Governments
throughout the world are being called upon to administer systems of governance
which encompass greater transparency, accountability and democratic
participation. It is imperative, therefore, that national governments create
suitable conditions to ensure that
