How Land Record Computerization Can Curb Corruption
Land and property are significant aspects of economic growth, however, in most of the nations, the land record proactivity is the big problem.
Misconduct, poor service delivery and misappropriation of records relating to land has resulted in eruption of litigations, land-grabbers as well as unfair distribution of property.
Among the solutions that one identified in the control of land issues are computerization of the records. Thus digitization of land records will help governments to increase the transparency, there will be less chances of human errors and corruption.
This blog focuses on explaining how by introducing computerizing land record, one can be able to reduce cases of corruption by increasing on the transparency, access, and accountability.
1. Improving Transparency in Land Transactions
This paper brings forward various suggestions that argue how land record computerization can reduce corruption, one of them being the enhancement of the visibility of land transactions.
In the past, the records of the land have been documented via paper documents and in many cases, members of the public had a restricted level of access to the records.
The lack of quantity surveying transparency has led to such malpractices as fraudulent transference of land ownership, alteration of title deeds and fraudulent sale of land.
All these practices can, however, be lessened by the computerization of land records.
2. Ban on Document Alteration
When land records go digital it becomes very difficult for a given person to influence or alter records on ownership of land.
Electronic recording services also apply time stamps and authentication systems to the database, and altering information creates an audit trail that is almost impossible to erase.
This traceability ensures that any change in the land ownership records is fully auditable and all the fraudulent changes are fully detectable.
3. Addressing access to land information of the public
By computerizing land records the process of acquiring information on land is made easier for the citizenry.
In many conventional systems, cadastral records are usually stored in physical offices, and using them may cause a number of inconveniences such as delay, administrative procedures or even offer the briber a chance to give a bribe.
Using digital land records, members of the public can get information about a certain piece of land, see ownership records and history of the land over the internet.
This increased access prevents corruption because the public is able to verify a corruption and see the transaction history of a specific account and it discourages fraudulent people from engaging in corrupt practices.
4. Enhancing Accessibility and Efficiency
Consolidation of land records has been found in many countries to be cumbersome since records are stored in different departments, regions and local offices thus making the process corrupt riddled.
Integrative computing of records results to the creation of one database making the procedure of registering, transferring, and verifying the lands easier.
In this case, an abundance of bureaucratic red tape needs to be minimized. It is rife with bureaucracy in that it demands multiple points of contact, and physical engagement with government personnel.
Such systems provide space for the corrupt officials to demand a bribe or to delay or interrupt the land-related processes.
This is made easier by a computerized system where most of the tracking is done mechanically, thereby minimizing the factors that are likely to bring in manipulation.
For instance, instead of conducting a search, making an application, or applying for a title deed for a piece of land or obtaining permits can be done through the internet with a lot of efficiency thus minimising the chances for middlemen to demand for bribes or be involved in other forms of corruption.
Digitized systems also imply less time to address various issues and to handle land applications resulting to increased turn over and confidence in the system.
5. Enhanced Land Records Management
In the conventional forms of record keeping there is high likelihood for the record of the land to disappear or become lost, destroyed, or poorly recorded, which can make it almost impossible to determine ownership or to solve a dispute.
When records must be computerized, they can be made to be backed up frequently, be secured and also be easily accessed.
This also minimizes the possibility of having records tampered with or obliterated either through accident or design: fire outbreaks, carelessness among employees, or cases of embezzlement.
6. Increasing Accountability and Monitoring
The computerization of land records doesn’t only gains transparency and availability but also increases accountability in property management.
The process of digitization makes it easier to check the operations of the involved personnel and follow transactions in land deals more closely.
7. Audit Trails and Real-Time Monitoring daily.
Possibly the largest strength of using a computerized system is the fact that audit trails can be used to track all the changes made to a land record.
Every single change in the system – the new land sale, transfer, or adjustment to a title – is also recorded.
It enables authorities to track the source of any transaction and pin point to some persons in case there are anomalies in the transaction.
Real time monitoring also assists the authorities on identifying potential fraud in the process as it happens.
These ‘anomalies’ can be easily pointed out if a piece of land has changed hands a number of times or if ownership has been transferred without transfers.
This means this system of constant supervision assists in checking corruption because all transactions are documented, and can be scrutinized by government officials, auditors, or the general public at a given time.
8. Better Police Work and Litigation
A good record keeping system in the land digital regime also assists the police probe teams when corruption is suspected.
Rather than going through paper work documents and being faced with challenges such as non-unlabeled folders, police or government investigators can easily go through the electronic files in a matter of seconds hence easier and faster when it comes to tracing of the ill-calculated transactions.
What is obvious is that this simplification of the investigation process enhances the chances of arresting corrupt individuals or, those who are intending to defraud the justice system.
Conclusion
Another factor making computerization of land records effective in checking corruption is that computer fraud is almost impossible to execute.
Through enhancing information disclosure, use of easy to access technology and insurance, it minimizes chances of fraudulent deeds, prevents alteration of documents and makes the procedures of land dealing standardized.
This is not to suggest that digitized land records elimination of corruption –organised systems also built significant confidence in the mechanics of land management and minimised the hindrances of bureaucracy, and has enhanced the equitable sorting out of land disputes.
With growing numbers of countries adopting a digital economy, eradicating corruption in land affairs will go a long way in enhancing social justice, legal and legal certainty overall societal and economic advancement.
Also read: Land Record Computerisation in Pakistan a Step towards Transparency and Efficiency