The Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, recently approved an electoral law for the country’s first legislative elections which is scheduled to hold in October.
According to a statement released by Qatar’s Government Communication Office on Thursday, members who are selected will have equal rights and powers to approve Government policies and projects and also to checkmate the GCO.
According to the GCO, the Shura Council elections is important to ensure that many citizens are involved in the government of the country which is exactly the Emir’s agenda.
Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa Al Thani, who is also the Interior Minister made it known that he has divided the country into 30 districts for the election and one candidate will be selected from each of the 30 districts.
Citizens aged 18 and above as well as those whose grandfather was born in Qatar are now allowed to vote in the districts where their tribe or family resides, the new law also states that Candidates selected must be from the state and at least 30 years old.
Political parties were banned in Qatar and they only hold municipal elections. Qataris voted in a referendum in 2003 to approve a new constitution that included partial council elections. Qatar since the last few months has been working to improve the constitutional procedures in the country as well as the law governing elections.