Omanis hail granting of voting rights

Omani Ruler His Majesty Sultan Qaboos's historic decision to allow citizens above the age of 21 years to vote in Majlis Ash Shura elections has been hailed as the right step towards democracy.

Sayyid Saud bin Ibrahim Al Busaidi, Oman's Interior Minister, on Tuesday announced that every citizen of Omani origin‚ above the age of 21 is eligible to vote in Majis Ash Shura elections. Earlier, only 25 per cent of the native citizens voted in the elections. The Wali and prominent citizens picked voters.

Majlis Ash Shura President Sheikh Abdullah bin Ali Al Qatabi said the decision reflected the high level of confidence entrusted by Sultan Qaboos in Omani people.

"Now it is the turn of the people to honour their responsibilities," he added.

"Common man's woes will now get a proper voice," believes Ali Badroo Salem Al Fahidi, who works as a Liaison Officer with a private firm in Muscat.

"We can now send our true representative," he said, adding that with the new order, every citizen will have the right to choose their representative in the Council, who in turn would work for their welfare.

A top bank executive with the National Bank of Oman, Abdulaziz Mohammed Al Balushi, said that the decision had put Oman on the way to democracy.

"This will give everyone an opportunity to send their representative to the Council," he pointed out and thanked Sultan Qaboos for the decision.

"It is a good step and broadens the scope of democracy," said a fresh graduate, who preferred not to be named.

Khalid bin Omar Al Marhoun, a Majlis member from Salalah, said that the new step affirms the fact that the development of the Majlis is progressing as planned. "The Royal gesture has set the cornerstone of popular participation in the country's development," he felt.

Khalil bin Abdullah Al Khonji, Secretary to the Omani Businessmen Council, feels that the decision would attract younger Omanis to the political process.

"We are now likely to see candidates of different disciplines and professional backgrounds entering the political process, he said.

In the beginning, each wilayat had one representative in Majlis, then it became two and then women also participated as member of the Majlis.

With the new decision, from 25 per cent participation of voters in each wilayat it has gone to 100 per cent participation of all eligible citizens in voting for the Majlis membership.