Citar Citizens will first choose members of the Advisory Council, Majlis Ash-Shura. Polling stations have already been opened, RIA Novosti reported in the election observation commission.
According to the Commission, 284 candidates (of which 10% of women) claim 30 seats in the Advisory Council. The number of voters is about 300 thousand.
According to the election rules, candidates may be at polling stations to monitor the movement of the electoral process, but they are not allowed to interact with voters.
Qataris call the day in the country of the first elections historical. “Qatar lives a historic day. The first direct elections of the members of Majlis Ash-Shura. Step to more prosperity and progress,” said RIA News Qatari publicist Jaber al-Kharmi.
The Advisory Council was established in Qatar in 1972 with the emir of Califa Ben Hamad Al Tanya and consisted of 20 members appointed by the head of state. According to the first constant Constitution of Qatar adopted in 2003, 30 deputies of parliament should be elected, 15 – appointed by Emir, but since the adoption of this decision it meets only the legislators appointed by Emir, and the elections were prescribed and postponed several times. Only in August of this year, Emir Qatar Tamim Ben Hamad Al Tanya decided to hold elections on October 2.
According to the Constitution of the country, the Advisory Council after the election must be officially becoming a legislative body, it is authorized to approve the budget parameters, develop, discuss and endure the proposed bills, which are accepted if two thirds of the votes of deputies and approval of the Emir are received. In addition, the Council monitors the activities of ministries and can vote for the vote of distrust.
The term of office of deputies is four years. The right of voting is endowed with each root older than 18 years old, having a criminal record.