Oman's Majlis A’Shura election on October 25, 2015

Oman's Majlis A’Shura election an opportunity for citizens to participate in decision-making

Guided by the Royal care of His Majesty the Sultan, the Majlis A’Shura is making steady strides, to ensure the interests of the Omani people, providing citizens with the opportunity to be involved in decision-making. Sultan Qaboos bin Said has taken Oman into the 21st Century with his wise leadership and policies that have Oman standout in the Middle East as one of its progressive nations.

Regional and International analysts will consider October 25, 2015 - the date of the Majlis A’Shura elections - as an  historic moment in the history of Omani, Arab and regional democracy. By the deadline for application for Majlis A’Shura candidacy, the number of candidates was 596 (including 20 women). Royal Decree No. 99/2011, which amended some provisions of the Basic Law of the State, marks a new era for the Shura process as the Chairman of the Majlis A’Shura is now elected from among Majlis A’Shura members. The members of the Majlis A’Shura now have wider powers that enable them to take part in considering the state’s draft budget, the five-year development plans and approving the social and economic agreements, which Oman to conclude or join.

Many Arab and regional analysts and observers consider the 25th of October 2015, Majlis A’Shura elections date, as an important historic juncture in the history of the Omani, Arab and regional democracy. This is mainly due to the qualitative leaps made by the Omani parliamentary experience since the beginning of the blessed Renaissance. The Omani Shura experience was guided by His Majesty Sultan Qaboos Bin Said’s wise vision, which took into consideration the grading of society from getting advice to Shura to the oversight roles, as it has been the case in the last term of Majlis A’Shura.

The grading of the Omani Shura experience over the past years has reflected positively on the stability of the Omani society, as well as on the political, social and cultural fields.

The Ministry of Interior said that as of 25th of August, the deadline for application for Majlis A’Shura candidacy, the number of candidates stood at 596 including 20 women.

The figures reflect the good turnout for nomination for Majlis A’Shura membership especially after its new powers. The ballot process on 25th of October is expected to witness a remarkable turnout that reflects the maturity of the Sultanate’s Shura experience, which witnessed a qualitative leap starting from the 7th term (2011-2015).

The Royal Decree No. 99/2011, which amended some provisions of the Basic Law of the State, marks a new era for the Shura process as the Chairman of the Majlis A’Shura is now elected among the Majlis A’Shura members.

The members of the Majlis A’Shura now have wider powers that enable them to take part in considering the state’s draft budget, the five-year development plans and approving the social and economic agreements, which the Sultanate intends to conclude or join. The members of the Majlis A’Shura may also interpellate ministers of service ministries if the Majlis A’Shura members believe that the ministers have went beyond their legal powers. Besides other parliamentary work tools, the Majlis A’Shura members can also submit questions and applications for discussion.

The Majlis A’Shura can also propose draft laws that enhance the efforts of the national development and take part in developing the draft five-year plans. The Chairman of the Majlis A’ Shura is also a member of the Main Supreme Committee for the Five-Year Development Plans, which develops the broad lines and basics of the plan and follows up its implementation.

The Majlis A’Shura also discusses the five-year development plan and the State’s General Budget in the presence of the respective minister who answers whatever queries that the Majlis A’Shura members may raise.

The Majlis A’Shura also considers and gives opinion in subjects referred to it by His Majesty the Sultan or by the Council of Ministers and returns such subjects together with their recommendations or proposals.

The Majlis A’Shura also raises an annual report to His Majesty the Sultan on the outcomes of the work of the Council.

The Majlis A’Shura is thus making steady strides, guided by the Royal care of His Majesty the Sultan, to play its prospective role and ensures the interests of the nation and the Omani people. It also provides citizens with the opportunity to be involved in decision-making. It is thus very important for voters to carefully select their candidates to ensure that Majlis A’Shura meets the envisaged aspirations especially that His Majesty the Sultan’s Government has put everything in place to ensure the success and transparency of the upcoming Majlis A’Shura elections.