Sheikha Al Jefairi casting her ballot for electing the chairman and vice-chairman of the Central Municipal Council in Doha yesterday. (SALIM MATRAMKOT)
The Central Municipal Council (CMC) elected Saud Abdullah Al Hinzab as Chairman and Jasim Abdullah Al Malki as Vice-chairman yesterday as it convened after the elections held on May 11.
Minister of Municipality and Urban Planning H E Sheikh Abdulrahman bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz Al Thani reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to support the CMC by implementing a bilateral” full and complete” cooperation.
Addressing the opening session of CMC, he said: “The ministry is sparing no effort to enhance joint coordination aimed at serving the citizens’ interest”. He urged the CMC members to take advantage of the current session to lead fruitful discussions aimed at developing laws, procedures and methods.
“All the amendments introduced by Law Number 1 of 2011 affirm the role of the CMC to achieve positive development towards greater democracy and political reforms”, the Minister said. Decisions meant to promote the country’s development at all levels are crucial for this phase, where Qatar is emerging on the world map, he added.
CMC Secretary General, Abul Aziz Abdul Qadir Al Ahmad congratulated the members for winning the confidence of citizens for the fourth term, noting that the Council’s General Secretariat will devote all its available resources and modern means to assist CMC members in the performance of their duties.
The newly appointed chairman, Al Hinzab, said that the post was not an honour or privilege but a responsibility and duty which required hard work to serve the nation and citizens.
“We have taken oath to do our jobs honestly. The mission is very tough and needs hard work and courage to raise the concerns of citizens” said the Chairman.
Twelve new councillors were elected while 17 were re-elected in the country’s fourth municipal elections. The council, which comprises 29 elected members representing constituencies from more than 230 regions in the State of Qatar, is an independent entity that carries out its responsibilities without interference.
Shaikha Al Jefairi continued as the lone female member of the Council for the third consecutive term.
Qatar’s first Municipal Council was formed in the early 1950s. In 1999, free elections were held to form the Central Municipal Council (CMC). CMC elections are held every four years. The council, which comprises 29 elected members representing constituencies from more than 230 regions in Qatar, is an independent entity that carries out its responsibilities without interference.
The amended Law Number 1 of 2011 stipulates that first session of the new term should be held within three months from the date of declaration of the election results.
The sessions will be held in 10 months, starting from the first week of the September of every year. The first meeting will be chaired by the senior-most member of the CMC, in which the chairman and vice-chairman will be elected for the full term by secret voting.
Vice-Chairman will be responsible in the absence of the chairman, in case of the absence of both persons the senior-most member will chair the session.
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