QU, MoI seminar discusses Shura Council elections and future vision
QATAR University (QU) organised a seminar, in cooperation with the Ministry of Interior (MoI), titled Shura Council Elections and Future Vision’.
The event, livestreamed through Webex, was attended by President of QU Dr Hassan Al Derham and a number of officials from QU and the MoI.
The first topic at the event highlighted the membership and references in accordance with Qatar’s constitution, led by Dr Hamad Al Hababi, assistant professor of Constitutional Law at QU.
The second topic, presented by Brigadier Salam Saqr Al Muraikhi, director of Legal Affairs department at the MoI, was a comparative study of the electoral system.
The third topic was related to guarantees of integrity in the electoral process according to international standards and
experiences. Dr Ali Al Ram, an expert in combating corruption and monitoring the integrity of legislative and municipal elections spoke about the topic. The session was chaired by Dr Noura Al Sahlawi, assistant professor of Criminal Law at QU’s College of Law.
In his speech on the occasion, Dr Al Derham said, “I affirm Qatar University’s interest in raising awareness and offering guidance in order to consolidate our democratic experience, the foundations of which were
laid by the Amir His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, may God protect him.”
“The announcement about the launch of the Shura Council elections in October next year means the start of a new phase of the national building process, to which we all must contribute through awareness raising, mobilisation and education. The experience comes in according with the hope of the leadership and the aspirations of the people, which makes our seminar today important in reflecting and crystallising this national aspiration.” Dr Al Derham said.
Dr Al Dirham said the elections are the manifestation of active popular participation in the management of the nation’s affairs by competent and experienced people, who are chosen by the citizens to represent them, in accordance with a policy defined by the competent authorities. Our role, whether in the university or in the ministry is to raise awareness and educate our society, through seminars and by conducting other activities with a view to making this an important national course a success, he explained.
Dr Al Dirham concluded his speech by stating the announcement of the Amir His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani that the elections next year would represent a qualitative leap in the legislation in Qatar. The next Shura Council will have a leading role in expanding popular participation in decision-making, and its pioneering role in continuing the legislative achievements that keep pace with this period, he concluded.