350,581 NATIONALS CAST VOTES IN MAJLIS ELECTIONS

As many as 350,581 nationals, forming slightly less than half of the total eligible voters, cast their votes in the elections held for Majlis Ash’shura on Sunday.

This was stated during a joint press conference of the Higher Committee and the Main Committee for the Majlis Ash’shura 9th Term Elections held at the Media Centre in Grand Hyatt, Muscat, on Monday.

Dr Khalifa bin Mohammed al Hadhrami, Vice-president of the Supreme Court and Chairman of the Higher Committee, expressed satisfaction over the elections.

“The process was smooth and conducted easily in all the wilayats of the Sultanate,” he said.

The percentage voting rose slightly above 49 per cent, including the votes cast by Omanis abroad.

HUGE CROWDS Two women have won the elections this time against one in the previous term to have their presence in the next term of the Majlis Ash’shura.

According to data revealed at the press conference by Talal bin Ahmed al Sa’adi, Secretary of the Main Committee of Elections, the highest participation rate was registered in Salalah with 71 per cent of the total number of voters turning out to cast their votes.

“In a national partnership, characterised by ease, clarity and transparency, and with an awareness that enhances the Omani model of Shura action, voters across the country started thronging the election centres since 7 am to cast their votes and to choose their candidates for the ninth term,” Al Sa’adi said.

The Wilayat of Qurayat recorded an increase in the number of female voters compared to the males, as female participation rate reached 51 per cent out of the total number of voters recorded in that wilayat.

“Omani and various media representatives from brotherly and friendly countries followed the voting at all the 110 polling stations. They also recorded live the turnout at the polling stations in various wilayats throughout the voting hours, which extended from 7 am to 9 pm. The voting time was extended for two hours in all wilayats of the Sultanate to enable all voters to cast their vote,” he said.

The election of the members of the Majlis for the ninth term also constituted another advanced step on the road of electronic development of the elections, making it smoother, faster and easier for voters.

“The e-voting provided the opportunity for the first time for all Omani voters outside the country to cast their votes, wherever they are through the application of ‘Distance Voting’ via smartphones,” he said.

The results of ‘Distance Voting’ for Omanis abroad were incorporated into Sunday’s election results, when final results were announced, he added.

ELECTRONIC VOTE According to him, the elections of the ninth term were characterised by being electronic in all stages, starting with registration of new voters who have reached the age of 21 and enjoy the right to vote.

This was in addition to those who have not previously registered till the transfers of registration and change of electoral headquarters, candidacy processes, announcement of lists of candidates and voters, as well as voting and sorting-out operations, in accordance with the rules prescribed by the law, he said.

The use of the electronic device ‘Sawtak’ or ‘Your Voice’ in voting and counting in the polling stations in the elections of the ninth term of the Majlis was a major achievement.

“The device, which is 100 per cent Omani design and make, was developed during years of hard work of our national cadre, to be more suitable for all voters, including the disabled,” Al Sa’adi said.