Qatar: Voter registration for Shura election opens Sunday

Cairo: Voter registration for Qatar’s first legislative election, due in October, will open Sunday, authorities said.

The Interior Ministry said that voter registration in all electoral districts will run from Sunday until Thursday August 5. Initial voter lists will be announced on August 8, the ministry added.

Eligible voters must be Qatari nationals, at least 18 years old by August 22 and not finally convicted on disohonouring charges or breach of trust.

Last week, Qatar’s Emir Tamim bin Hamad ratified an electoral law for the upcoming polls.

Earlier this month, the Interior Ministry announced forming a committee to supervise the Shura Council election. No specific vote day has been set yet.

In the election, voters will elect 30 members of the 45-strong council. The emir will appoint 15 others. All of them were previously appointed by the emir.

The council offers consultation on draft laws.