Digital accountability through e-participation: the moderating role of the digital divide

IMPACTThe authors show that equitable access to digital technologies enhances the effectiveness of e-participation, enabling citizens to monitor, evaluate, and influence public sector decision-making more meaningfully. The findings presented in this article have important implications for policy-makers—infrastructure expansion alone cannot achieve digital accountability. Instead, digital inclusion and civic engagement must be addressed through investments in broadband access, digital literacy, and participatory platforms. Bridging the digital divide ensures that accountability mechanisms are accessible to all, thus promoting transparency, responsiveness, and trust in government. By connecting digital transformation to participatory governance, this article supports efforts toward sustainable and inclusive public administration, offering guidance for building citizen-centreed digital governance frameworks.