QATAR, 2 April 2007 — Voters in Qatar took part in municipal elections yesterday, in voting seen as a practice run for the country’s first parliamentary elections.
Hopes are high that the council’s election will demonstrate that Qatar is ready for more democracy.
Observers say the municipal council vote can teach Qataris how to elect and operate a transparent governing body that responds to public debate.
The country’s 28,000 voters were choosing among 122 men and three women vying for 29 seats on the municipal council, the sole elected body in the country. The council was created in 1999 with Qatar’s first set of elections, and this will be its third term.
The government is closely monitoring participation as Qataris await a decree by Emir Sheikh Hamad ibn Khalifa Al-Thani that sets the long-awaited date for historic parliamentary elections.
In 2003, Qataris voted to approve a new constitution that envisaged the creation of a parliament. The national legislature would be partially elected by the people and partially appointed by the emir. The new chamber would be the first-ever in the country to have full-fledged legislative powers.
Despite the symbolic importance of the vote, there seemed to be limited national interest because the council has no formal powers and can only give advice to the government.
Voters who did go to the polls expressed a desire to exercise their democratic right even if it meant electing a body with little authority.
“No matter if the council has little power. This is the only way we can express our opinion,” Shaikha Al-Mulla, a Qatari teacher, said after casting her ballot. “We must vote to show the authorities that we want to be part of the country’s development and take decisions about it.” There were no early statistics on the turnout, but many Qatari men in their traditional white robes and women in black gowns could be seen heading to the polling centers scattered across the capital Doha.
Results were expected late last night.
US Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney, a Democrat of New York City, was part of a US delegation observing the vote.
Maloney was also present during Qatar’s first election.
“It’s thrilling to witness the great progress the country is going through,” Maloney said during a visit to a polling station. “The municipal election is a wonderful way to start reforms because it gives people a voice.”
Maloney and other observers said they hoped a successful election would push further democratic reforms in the small emirate.
