Gulf | Oman
Government hopes for bigger voter turnout
The government is optimistic of a bigger voter turnout today as Oman goes to vote for the country's second open elections to elect 84 representatives for a four-year term to Majlis Al Shura.
- By Sunil K. Vaidya, Bureau Chief
- Published: 01:07 October 27, 2007
- An Omani boy stands at the entrance of the Sultan Qaboos grand mosque in Muscat, where voting has begun for 84 seats in the Shura council.
- Image Credit: Reuters
Muscat: The government is optimistic of a bigger voter turnout today as Oman goes to vote for the country's second open elections to elect 84 representatives for a four-year term to Majlis Al Shura.
A large number of citizens reckon that the advisory council has no role in influencing state decisions.
Sultan Qaboos Bin Saeed initiated the process of Shura in 1991 with a promise to evolve it gradually and increase the Council's participation in the state.
"Sultan Qaboos has said that with each term the Shura will have increased participation and that has been happening," journalist Aziza Al Habsi, who is contesting the elections for the first time, told Gulf News yesterday amid hectic campaigning.
The permission to canvass a bit more openly by putting up posters banners and newspaper advertisement, she believed, is another step forward in the evolution of the Council.
She urged voters to choose the right candidate when they cast their votes at 102 polling stations in 61 wilayats across the country today. "It is very important what kind of representative people elect to the Council."
Aziza said that the government would like to see more erudite representatives in the Council, which at the moment plays just an advisory role. But the Sultan had assured that his government will pay utmost attention to the recommendations put forward by the Council members, who regularly debate with ministers and put forward their suggestions. A majority of the 632 candidates this time have an academic background.
"The trend is changing in a big way as it is evident this time when more educated ... people come forward to contest," agreed Aziza.
"It is important that we send representatives who can give opinion, ideas and meaningfully discuss government policies," said Aziza, who gave birth to a daughter last week.
Mukhtar Al Rawahi, who has been championing the cause for Omanis with special needs for almost three decades, wants representatives to start taking social responsibilities before they get the power to make decisions. "The representatives can take up social causes in their constituency and act as a solid bridge between the government agencies and people of the country," said Al Rawahi, who lost both his legs in an accident while pursuing higher education in UK in the early eighties.
'More meaningful role'
He said the Oman Disabled Association has been egging their members to use their suffrage rights. "We want our members to elect right representatives," Al Rawahi said.
He may consider contesting the elections in future. "I would wait and watch and contest only if I can play a meaningful role in Shura, not for the position."
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