Gulf | Oman
Shura system has 'evolved perfectly'
The early trends in the country's second open elections for Majlis Shura, the Advisory Council, yesterday show that both men as well as women have comprehensively participated in exercising their suffrage.
- By Sunil K. Vaidya, Bureau Chief
- Published: 17:59 October 27, 2007
- "We are happy that people are taking part in the elections in large numbers," says Oman's Information Minister Hamad Bin Mohammad Al Rashdi.
- Image Credit: Sunil K. Vaidya/Gulf News
Muscat: The early trends in the country's second open elections for Majlis Shura, the Advisory Council, yesterday show that both men as well as women have comprehensively participated in exercising their suffrage.
Information Minister Hamad Bin Mohammad Al Rashidi, who visited the media centre in Muscat in the afternoon, told Gulf News the Shura system was evolving perfectly in the country and it was headed in the right direction.
"Sultan Qaboos Bin Saeed had promised in 1985 that [the Council] will not freeze and it has not frozen," he pointed out. In his opinion, the overwhelming voter turnout in the morning was an indication that the Shura was making progress.
"What we saw [long queues of voters] on television since morning proves that people are also responding to the government initiatives," he said.
The Council was established in 1991 and it has gradually evolved from limited voting to open elections and right of voting for every citizen above the age of 21.
Enthusiastic response
The government allowed candidates to canvass for the second open election.
"To allow campaigning for candidates was definitely a step forward and we can see the results as more and more people are making use of their right [to vote]," he said. After the last elections in 2003, the Council term was extended to four years and lifted the limit on candidates seeking re-election more than two times.
Al Rashdi said: "As you can see it has evolved with each term and it would keep evolving. There have been changes in the Ashura at each stage according to the needs of the Omani people and society." He added that it would continue to change for the betterment of the society.
When asked about the party system, he said: "We want our [Council] members to serve the society and people so the current system of individual contest is just perfect and suits us."
He also expressed government satisfaction at the response by Omanis to the council initiatives.
"We are happy that people are taking part in the elections in large numbers as seen this time," he said. This time at least the response has been tremendous, particularly in the urban areas.
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