DUBAI: Omanis go to the polls Sunday in a low-key vote for a consultative council.

Sultan Qaboos slightly expanded the powers of the Majlis Al-Shoura in 2011.

The number of candidates standing for election has almost halved from the last ballot four years ago.

The majlis was created in 1991 and has a four-year term. It has no role in defense, internal security or foreign affairs.

Candidates plastered the streets with their portraits and focused on socio-economic issues in the stable nation bordering war-ravaged Yemen.

The sultanate derives 79 percent of its revenues from petroleum, but with global prices down by roughly half since early 2014 it has projected a budget deficit this year of $6.47 billion.

That represents about eight percent of gross domestic product. On Sunday, about 612,000 people are eligible to vote at 107 polling stations in 61 districts.

From 596 candidates, including 20 women, a fall of three quarters from the last council polls, they will choose 85 members of the Majlis Al-Shoura, the election commission said.