Chairperson of the National Human Rights Committee (NHRC) H E Maryam bint Abdullah Al Attiyah
Doha, Qatar: Chairperson of the National Human Rights Committee (NHRC) H E Maryam bint Abdullah Al Attiyah has said that large number of Qatar citizens being registered in the electoral lists reflects their true and free will in choosing who they want to represent them in the 7th session of the Central Municipal Council (CMC).
In a press statement yesterday, Al Attiyah stressed that the upcoming CMC elections are not only important for the development and completion of infrastructure, but it also provides an opportunity for everyone’s voices to be heard and to shape the future of Qatar’s society.
Participation in these elections is an integral part of the right to freedom of opinion and expression, and ensures that individuals have an opinion in their own society, she said. She added that the elections will determine who will lead the administration of municipal affairs and therefore make decisions that would directly impact the daily life of Qatar’s population, and the success of the democratic process will also impact the welfare of the citizens and the future of the country.
She pointed out that since the issuance of Amiri Decree No. (28) of 2023 with regard to setting the date for the CMC elections, the NHRC has played a vital role in spreading awareness and gearing up to monitor the elections.
Al Attiyah highlighted that the committee has established two teams responsible for awareness and oversight to make sure that there is a fair election that reflects the population without discrimination and supports equality, based on the Constitution of the State of Qatar as well as the international laws and the principles of human rights.
She also explained that the committee has completed its preparation to monitor the elections of 7th session of CMC, after it formed the concerned team of members and employees to monitor the electoral process. The committee worked on the team to qualify it to carry out the required tasks in the electoral committees in accordance with national and international standards.
She affirmed that the team concerned with monitoring the elections has independence, impartiality and objectivity, and has the necessary experience to monitor the electoral process. This is by being present at voting areas and ensuring that voters, candidates and those responsible for managing the electoral process all experience respect and freedom.
According to Al Attiyah, the team will work within the framework of the strategic plan for monitoring and dissemination, identifying expected results from monitoring, ensuring the inclusion of international standards for monitoring elections, ensuring that a number of basic elements are met, and conducting an evaluation of the electoral process that upholds independence.
In regards of spreading awareness, she announced that the NHRC would organise an “Elections are a Right and Duty” campaign on Tuesday to increase the participation of citizens in electing their representatives and to implement their rights and duties guaranteed by the constitution and the provisions of international human rights agreements.
She noted that the campaign aims to educate citizens and candidates about the process of the election in accordance with national, regional and international standards. It is also aimed to ensure that they have willingness, desire and ability for participation by ensuring confidence in the suitability and effectiveness of the process and in choosing and developing programmes and demands that would benefit citizens in their districts.
The campaign comes within the framework of raising awareness of the electoral process, including publishing educational messages through websites, social media sites, official newspapers, and paper publications. Besides, a team of employees and volunteers of the Elections are a Right and Duty campaign will be present in several malls in Qatar until June 21.
