DOHA, 1 May 2003 — Qataris said ‘yes’ en masse to a written constitution ushering in a Gulf-style democracy without political parties that would leave real power in the hands of the emir and his family, according to election results announced yesterday.
“This is a historic development in Qatar’s history,” said Foreign Minister Sheikh Hamad ibn Jassem Al-Thani of Tuesday’s vote. The new constitution was approved by 96.6 percent of some 68,987 voters, said Interior Minister Sheikh Hamad ibn Nasser Al-Thani. A total of 71,406 Qataris were eligible to vote in the referendum. Qatar has only about 150,000 nationals among a population of 650,000.
“Among the other measures expected on the road to realizing democracy is the election of the Majlis Al-Shoura” or consultative council, the foreign minister said. The council would be made up of 45 members, two-thirds of whom would be elected in 2004 to four-year terms and the rest appointed by the emir, Sheikh Hamad ibn Khalifa Al-Thani.
Foreign Minister Sheikh Hamad has emerged as one of the fiercest advocates of greater political openness in Qatar, a drive started by the emir since he took power after deposing his father.
Qatar’s new constitution will also leave power with the emir and his family but would give citizens a greater say in the running of their country. The proposed constitution would set up a separation of executive, legislative and judicial powers. Political parties would still not be allowed, in line with the Gulf tribal tradition of looser associations or movements.
