Qatar: 63.5% voter turnout in first legislative elections

Qataris lead elections to elect 30 members of the 45-member Shura Council, which drafts legal guidelines, approves the state finances, debates key points and replaces the ruling Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. offers recommendation.

The Gulf nation first launched plans for legislative elections in its 2003 structure, however officers repeatedly postponed the vote.

Even although the long-delayed measure was supposed to inform Qataris how they govern, the Shura Council has no say in issues of defence, safety, financial and funding coverage.

According to knowledge reported by native media, regardless of initially 28 ladies had been accredited to take part within the election, male candidates had been elected in all 30 seats.

Officials stated that there was 63.5% turnout within the election.

A brand new ‘experiment’

Like different Gulf Arab states, Qatar imposes restrictions on political events. The small however rich nation of two.8 million practically 9 to at least one outnumbers Qatari nationals with overseas staff.

The 2022 World Cup has created strain for the genetically-ruled nation to reform.

Qatar’s deputy prime minister and overseas minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani, described the vote final month as a brand new “experiment” and stated the council couldn’t be anticipated to play “the full role of any parliament” from the primary 12 months. .

Criticism of Qatar’s electoral regulation

Rights teams have criticized Qatar’s electoral regulation, which differentiates between born and naturalized residents of Qatar, and the latter prohibits them from electoral participation.

This system prevents 1000’s from operating or voting, which has triggered small tribal protests which have led to many arrests.

In a report final month, the worldwide rights group Human Rights Watch known as the system “discriminatory”.