The five-day voters’ registration process for the first Shura Council elections is set to conclude today.
The citizens still have a chance to register today through Metrash2 app, by text message, or by personally attending any of the electoral headquarters on the last day of registration process.
Qataris, who are abroad, can register through Metrash2 or by text message but with a Qatari mobile SIM number.
Registration and participation in the Shura Council election are necessary to ensure real involvement in decision-making based on fair elections.
The preliminary lists of voters will be announced next Sunday, while the final list will be issued on August 22.
“The upcoming Shura Council has many powers and competencies represented in enactment of laws, approving the budget as well as monitoring the performance of the government,” said Dr. Youssef bin Mohammad Al Obaidan, a former member of the Shura Council.
Speaking to Qatar TV yesterday, he said: “These three competencies are the core of the work of parliaments in the world.”
“Everyone must participate in the current elections,” he said, noting that popular participation in government has existed for a while, but in a different way compared to today, and that Qatar is moving gradually to involve citizens in decision-making.
“The previous Shura Council witnessed a number of developments, both in terms of increasing the number of members, and in jobs and legislation as well. These things created the appropriate environment for this upcoming Shura Council,” he said.
Talking about the importance of the Council, Al Obaidan added: “The upcoming Shura Council has the right to propose laws, monitor the government work and summon ministers.”
The goal of electing members of the new Shura Council is to enhance effective popular participation in managing the country’s affairs and making decisions. The registration process begun last Sunday at all electoral districts.
The applications for registration of candidates will start on Sunday (August 22) and will continue until Thursday (August 26), and that the final lists of candidates will be announced on September 15.
Qataris can vote for 30 members of the Shura Council, while H H the Amir will appoint another 15 members.
To allow candidates to appear in the media through multiple media platforms with fair and equal opportunities, the Media Support Committee for the Shura Council Elections of Qatar Media Corporation (QMC) recently launched a new website.
Prime Minister and Minister of Interior H E Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz Al Thani recently visited the Elections Follow-up Operations Room in the Ministry of Interior, and expressed his happiness of the extent of the turnout for electronic registration.