From what I know (and it may not be a apt assessment) in India e-governance initiatives will go for FOSS only due to cost constraints. On the face of it I am not able to visualize any other major differences other than cost and living in a MS dominated world.

From what I think at technology makes an impact but what will drive an e-governance scheme is people participation.

Now the scene in a European nation might be different, but in India, if one goes to the E-Payment systems set by government for filling up bills, people don’t understand much, and still require a helper to work with it. Although certain things like Linux based Simputers have touched a chord of an Indian villager, technology needs to simplify itself much more to be pervasive amongst the common man.