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Official denies vote buying in Oman elections

Oman's Interior Ministry on Sunday denied reports that vote buying took place during the Majlis Al Shura elections.

  • By Sunil K. Vaidya, Bureau Chief
  • Published: 16:49 October 28, 2007
  • Gulf News

Muscat: Oman's Interior Ministry on Sunday denied reports that vote buying took place during the Majlis Al Shura elections.

Interior Minister Sayyid Soud Bin Ibrahim Al Busaidi said that the ministry had not received any complaint.

"There's been no evidence to prove these reports and if we do get complaint, legal committee for the elections would definitely look into it," he said.

At least 62 per cent of registered voters went to polling stations on Saturday, Al Busaidi said.

He said it was disappointing that there was no female candidate elected, but that it was just indication of "real democracy".

"Although we would have liked women to get elected to the Shura …we cannot force people to vote for men or women," he said.

This time only 38 out of 64 candidates seeking re-election secured seats in the 84-member Al Shura council.

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