Doha: Director of Legislation Department at the General Secretariat of State Cabinet, H E Abdulaziz Mubarak Al Buainain, has said preparations are in full swing for the forthcoming elections to the Shura Council.
“Since the issuance of the directives from Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, during his address at the opening of the 49th session of the Shura Council on November 3, 2020, preparations for Shura Council elections are in full swing,” said Abdulaziz Mubarak Al Buainain. Speaking in a Qatar TV programme, he said preparations for the vote are ongoing in a clear timetable in line with the Constitution. “The State Cabinet approved a draft law to issue the Shura Council election system and to refer it to the Shura Council.
“The approval of the draft law for the issuance of a law on the Shura Council election system is an important step towards holding the first Shura Council election,” said Al Buainain.
He said the preparation of this draft law comes within the framework of the government’s role in completing the constitutional requirements to elect members of Shura Council based on the provisions of the Constitution, which won the approval of the vast majority of citizens, as the result of the referendum came at 96.6% of the vote, which clearly stipulates strengthening the principle of people’s participation in legislation and monitoring.
“We, since the assignment of the task for holding the election, have been working proudly because our country is preparing for this important event.”
He said the draft law was prepared under the supervision of the Supreme Committee for Shura Council Election headed by H E the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, in accordance with the provisions of Amiri Decree No. 47 of 2019 establishing the Supreme Committee for the Shura Council Elections.
“The draft law included provisions related to the conditions that must be met by voters and candidates for membership in the Shura Council.”
He said the draft law stipulates facilitating the process of registering in the voters’ lists, including the possibility of applying for registration electronically.
“It regulates the process of complaints against registration in voters’ lists and judicial appeals against decisions of the committees of voters and candidates,” Al Buainain added.
He said the municipalities should ensure equal access of candidates to places where advertisements or electoral statements are placed, and to allocate equal spaces for the candidates.
“The public and private media are impartial in their coverage and treatment of all candidates, and when covering the elections,” he said.
Speaking about the responsibilities and authority of Shura Council, he said that the Shura Council assumes legislative authority, approves the general policy of the government and the budget, and exercises control over the executive authority as specified in the Constitution.
