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Omanis vote in Shura council elections

Omanis, who got the first taste of poll campaigns, voted on Saturday to elect representatives to the Majlis Al Shura Council (Advisory Council) for a four-year term.

  • By Sunil K. Vaidya, Bureau Chief
  • Published: 12:11 October 27, 2007
  • Gulf News

  • The second election in the country's history has seen candidates campaigning openly for the first time.
  • Image Credit: Gulf News Archive

Muscat: Omanis, who got the first taste of poll campaigns, voted on Saturday to elect representatives to the Majlis Al Shura Council (Advisory Council) for a four-year term.

The Omani Interior Ministry said 388,683 people were registered to vote, with 632 candidates standing in 61 electoral areas, including 21 women.

Polling stations opened at 0300 GMT and are expected to close by early evening.

The second election in the country's history has seen candidates campaigning openly for the first time. The All the 632 candidates have sought votes through posters, banners and newspaper advertisements.

Sultan Qaboos Bin Saeed launched the Majlis Al Shura in 1991 with a promise to evolve it gradually and increase its participation in the state's affairs. The poll campaigns are seen as a step in that direction.

Votes were cast at 102 polling stations in 61 wilayats on Saturday to send 84 representatives to the council for a four-year term.

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