In a historic day marked with remarkable election, the people of Qatar rushed early morning yesterday to polling stations and took their place in the queues to cast their votes and choose their representatives in the first-ever free and democratic election for the Shura Council members.
Qatari citizens turned up to practice their democratic right in choosing 30 members out of 234 candidates competed to win the membership of the Shura Council with total 45 seats. The participation in some constituencies witnessed a large turnout of citizens reaching the average 63.5% and in some constituencies exceeded 73% according to TV channel reports.
The election process yesterday was distinguished by smoothness, transparency, effective in saving time and witnessing a significant participation of women, whether as candidates or as voters, where 28 women competed in this election.
All these were possible, thanks to the quality preparation in terms of legislation, awareness campaigns, logistical requirements and efficient management of the election process in all of its aspects. As well it reflects the conscious and responsible manners of the Qatari people making the whole exercise free of any kind of violations to the rules and regulations on organisation of elections.
On this national democratic occasion, Prime Minister and Minister of Interior H E Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz Al Thani, expressed his delight for the success of the election process and congratulated the citizens, voters and organizers. In a tweet the PM said: “Implementing the strong will of H H the Amir, the Qatari people voted today to choose the members of the first elected Shura Council in general election and secret ballot, marking a new historic achievement to the country’s asset of expanding popular participation in decision-making”.
The PM and Minister of Interior also congratulated in the same tweet the citizens for the success of the election and their participation extending his thanks to the candidates, voters and organizers.
The voting process in 30 electoral districts, spread over various regions of the country, started at 8am and polls closed at 6pm amid the COVID-19 precautionary measures.
With the name of the 30 winners being revealed, insightful vision of the leadership, confirms to the world that the State of Qatar is a state of institutions, and thus again the State of Qatar is moving steadily towards new era of public participation in decision-making to achieve its national vision and aspiration of the new generations.
It is a great step in the fifty-year-old Qatari Shura tradition system, and no doubts that the elected Shura Council will consolidate the traditions of participation in decision-making, realizing the ambitions and aspirations of Qatari people in line with the requirements of development and renaissance that the country is witnessing in all fields.
