[oman-l] Majlis ash-Shura

[Brian Evans]

I picked the following stories off of the Khaleej Times and Gulf News
websites.  Does anybody have opinions about these elections; how far will
is this democratic process likely to go?  Does the Sultan want a
constitutional monarchy?  Or just a greater level of public participation
in government?  This Majlis ash-Shura has gradually grown over the years,
and with the new Basic Law, it seems that there is some sort of strategy
...  Any thoughts or opinions would be greatly appreciated.  Thanks ...

Brian Evans

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KHALEEJ TIMES (UAE) (8/12/97)

Omanis hail wider participation of women in Majlis

>From our correspondent

MUSCAT - Omanis yesterday hailed the government's decision to allow women
from all the 59 wilayats, or districts, of the Sultanate to contest
elections for a new Majlis Ash'Shura on October 16.

Minister of Interior Sayyid Ali bin Hamoud Al Busaidi said on Sunday that,
for the first time, women from all the wilayats would have the right to
nominate and be nominated as members of the third Majlis Ash'Shura.

Previously, only women from the governorate of Muscat enjoyed this right.

Two women were elected to the Majlis in the last elections, held in July 1994.

One of them, Shakoor M. Salim Al Ghammary, praised the decision to give
wider representation to women in the Majlis.

"This is a step in the right direction. It will be a good thing for the
women of Oman because they make up almost half the population of the
Sultanate," Mrs Ghammary said.

Ahmed Said Salim Al Riyami, an executive in a private sector firm, said the
decision would enrich the consultative process and also make the women of
Oman know that they were being given due respect and recognition for the
important role they play in society and development.

Zulaikha Barkat, a young Omani woman, said she hoped to see more women
become members of the Majlis this year.

"Women can play an effective role since they are quite familiar with the
problems of society."

The move to enhance the participation of women in the political system
stems from directives issued by His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said to
improve the system of nominations, increase the size of the electorate and
encourage more women to participate in elections.

In his address to the nation on the country's 26th National Day last year,
Sultan Qaboos spoke of the importance of increasing participation of the
people in deliberating upon the affairs of the country.

Sunday's ministerial statement said the number of people who could vote in
the forthcoming ballot was also to be increased in proportion to the
population density of each wilayat.

It called on those wishing to stand as candidates to register with the
governor of the respective wilayat between August 19 and August 27.

Voters have also been informed that they could cast their ballot during a
12-hour polling period, to commence at 7am on October 16.

Members of the Majlis are elected for a three-year term.

The 1994 elections saw the number of members increased to 80.

The first consultative council, which was inaugurated in December 1991, had
59 members.

All Omanis have the right to run as candidates for Majlis membership,
provided they are Omani nationals by origin, are born in the wilayat which
they choose to represent in the Majlis, are over 30 years of age, have an
impeccable character and suitable work experience.

Under the system of elections to the Majlis, wilayats with a population of
more than 30,000 people will each nominate four candidates.

Two among these will be elected to represent the wilayat in the
consultative council.

Wilayats with a population of less than 30,000 will nominate two
candidates, one of whom will be elected to the Majlis.

The election results will be finalised on October 20, before they are
referred to the Interior Minister on November 1.

Sultan Qaboos will then issue a royal decree wherein he will name the new
members of the third consultative council.

The president of the Majlis is appointed by a royal decree while the two
vice-presidents are elected by the members in a secret ballot.

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GULF NEWS (UAE) (8/12/97)

Oman shura polls on October 16

>From Arif Ali

Muscat - Nominations for candidature in the forthcoming elections to the
Majlis Al Shura, Oman's Parliament, will be accepted between August 19 and
27. The announcement was made by Sayyid Ali bin Hamoud Al Bousaidi, the
Interior Minister. The nation will go to the polls on October 16 to elect a
new Majlis. This year there will be a break with past practice in that
polling will be begin and end in all 59 provinces in one day. The polling
day is a Thursday, part of the two-day weekend holiday of Thursday and
Friday, chosen to ensure a maximum turn-out.

The Majlis has 80 members, including two women who were elected from the
Muscat area which was the only constituency in which female candidates were
allowed when the last Majlis was elected three years ago. Now the door is
open to women candidates to fight the election in any constituency.  The
candidate must be of Omani origin, of impeccable character and at least 30
years old. The right of nomination cannot be delegated. Nobody can vote
elsewhere than in the place specified on the polling ticket. And a
candidate cannot fight the election other than in the province where he was
born.

Objections will be received by September 3. They will be decided upon by
September 8. Anybody who feels his objection has been overlooked can appeal
up to September 17. The final list of candidates will be published on
September 24. And the results of the polls will be announced on October 20.
The Majlis Al Shura was founded six years ago to ensure public
participation in government.