Qatar is all set to hold its first Shura Council elections in October 2021. An electoral law for the country’s first legislative polls was passed by His Highness The Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, so there is more participation of Qatari citizens.

The Shura Council has legislative powers, is responsible for determining the general budget, and it also checks the executive powers. The Council is responsible for deliberating and making suggestions on a number of issues.

Based on the electorate, 30 members will be voted in out of the 45 members of the Shura Council, while the remaining 15 will be appointed by H.H. The Amir. All the members of the Shura Council, whether voted in or appointed, will have the same rights and responsibilities.

These include:

• approving the general policy of the Qatari government and the country's budget.
• exercising control over the executive authority according to the new electoral law.
• presenting proposals related to the government’s public matters. (Al Jazeera)

Stages of the electoral process

• Voter's Registration: The first stage is the voter’s registration, publishing the initial list, acceptance of any kind of grievance and adjudication, and then publishing the final list of voters.
• Candidate Registration: The second stage includes the registration of the candidates, publishing their initial lists, acceptance of any kind of grievance and adjudication, and then the publishing of the final list of the candidates.
• Election Campaign: The third stage is the election campaign of the candidates and then there is a silent day prior to the voting day.
• Results: The last stage is the election day when the votes are cast, counted and the winners are announced. (The Peninsula Qatar)

How to register to vote

In accordance with the provisions of Law No. (6) of 2021 promulgating the Shura Council Election System Law, and Decree No. (37) of 2021 defining electoral districts and the areas of each of them, the registration of voters will be opened in all electoral districts, starting from Sunday, 1 August 2021 and will continue until Thursday, 5 August 2021 from 4 pm - 8 pm every day. The preliminary lists of voters will be announced on Sunday, 8 August 2021. (MOI)

Conditions and eligibility for voters registration

1. The original nationality of the voter must be Qatari, and anyone who has acquired the Qatari nationality is excluded from the condition of original nationality, provided that his grandfather is Qatari and was born in the State of Qatar.
2. The Qatari voter must not be less than 18 years of age.
3. The Qatari voter must not have been convicted of a final verdict in a crime involving moral turpitude or dishonesty unless he/she has been rehabilitated.

How to register your name in the voter's list if you are in Qatar

The Qatari voter should initiate the registration application procedure himself/herself through the Metrash2 application, by text message, or by personally visiting one of the electoral headquarters, with the complete data required for registration. This includes the Qatar ID and the mobile number of the Qatari voter.

1. Instructions to register via text message

• Send a text message mentioning your mobile number to 95555.
• The mobile number that you send a text message from should be the same as the one used for registering in the national address or the Metrash2 service.
• You will then receive a text message stating that your request has been received.

2. Instructions to register via Metrash2 app

• Go to Metrash2 app, then click on the Qatari Citizen icon.
• Next click on the Shura Council Elections icon.
• Then click on the Voter Registration icon.
• Enter the required data and submit your request after verifying that the data you entered is correct.
• After submitting your registration, you will receive a text message stating that your request has been received.
• You will then receive a text message stating that your request has been received.

3. Instructions to register in-person at the polling station

Click HERE for the list of polling stations in Qatar.

• Go to the nearest polling station with your Qatar ID and register in-person.
• You will then receive a text message stating that your request has been received.

How to register your name in the voter's list if you are outside Qatar

Qatari citizens outside the country can request registration in the voter registration rolls through a text message or via the Metrash2 app.

طُرق تقديم طلب القيد في جداول الناخبين لانتخابات مجلس الشورى، خلال الفترة من 1وحتى 5 أغسطس 2021م #الداخلية_قطر #انتخابات_مجلس_الشورى #وزارة_الداخلية pic.twitter.com/MkXxv1kHuv

— وزارة الداخلية - قطر (@MOI_Qatar) July 31, 2021

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Sources: Al Jazeera; The Peninsula Qatar; MOI Qatar 31 July; MOI; QNA
Cover image credit: Amiri Diwan

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Nabeela

Content Writer

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