Emir of Qatar approves election law for first legislative poll

One year before voting Arabian Gulf The state hosting the World Cup football game will account for two-thirds of the 45-seat Shura Committee or 30 members. On Thursday, Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani also approved a new law.

The Emir will continue to appoint the remaining 15 members.

In a referendum in 2003, Qataris, who accounted for only 10% of the country’s population, approved a new constitution, which stipulates partial elections for the council, and the members of the council have been appointed. Since then, the polls have been postponed.

QatarLike other Gulf countries, political parties are banned, and municipal elections have been held. After being abused and accusations that Arab countries imposed a 3-1/2 year diplomatic, trade and travel embargo in mid-2017, it has been seeking to enhance its image, including by improving the rights of migrant workers.

The new law stipulates that citizens aged 18 and over whose grandfather was born in Qatar are eligible to vote in the area where their tribe or family lives. Candidates must be of Qatari descent and must be at least 30 years old.

This small and wealthy country is the world’s largest producer of LNG. It will be divided into 30 electoral districts, each electing a candidate.

Qataris have been convicted “for the final verdict of crimes involving moral depravity or dishonesty” and “unless they have been reformed in accordance with the law”, they cannot vote or run for elections.

Ministers, members of the judiciary, military personnel, and city council members are not allowed to run for these positions.

The law limits campaign spending to 2 million rials.