118 hopefuls vying for Qatar municipal council seats

Five women among candidates for civic polls on May 13

Five women are among 118 candidates vying for seats in the Qatar Central Municipal Council (CMC) elections, that are a week away.

According to officials, had signed up to run for polls, but 18 pulled out.

The organising committee on Tuesday reminded hesitant candidates they had until yesterday to announce their withdrawal.

Yesterday was also the deadline for candidates to register their agents who will be allowed into voting halls, the organising committee said, insisting that under the rules, the agent must be from the same 136 the constituency as the candidate. Three of the 29 seats have been secured by sitting members after no challengers signed up in their constituencies.

Challenges

Jasem Abdullah Al Maliki won the first constituency while Rabia Hamad Ajlan Al Kaabi won the 27th constituency and Saeed Mubarak Al Rashidi would continue to represent the 28th constituency.

For others, the contest looks particularly challenging as several factors, mainly tribal affiliations, are carefully considered by voters before casting their ballots.

Salem Saqr Al Muraikhi, the head of the elections legal committee, said that the polling stations would remain open from 8am until 5pm.

“However, the head of the polling station could extend the timing for casting ballots by the voters who are inside the premises by 5pm,” he said, quoted by local daily Al Sharq. “The main gate will be closed at 5pm,” he added.

A 30-minute break will be observed between noon and 12.30pm to allow time for prayers and lunch, he said.

“The boxes will be sealed and off during that time,” he said

Ballot counting will start immediately after the end of polling. In case of a tie between two or more candidates, the winner will be decided by drawing of lots or another method based on the element of chance.

The elections on May 13 will be the fifth since the CMC was established.

Three of the 29 seats were secured by sitting members after there were no challengers.