Oman’s Majlis Al Shura is an elected body which, as its name states, consults and also advises the government of Oman. Each Wilaya (an administrative area) in Oman with a population of 30,000 or above are represented by two members, while Wilaya with fewer are represented by one member.
The election during 2011 had 1,300 candidates, 77 of whom were women, for the 84 available seats. Here a journalist considers possible voters dissatisfaction during the current elections. For the 2015 elections a new requirement is that candidates must have a University degree.
As political parties are not permitted in Oman each candidate must find other means than a political party’s resources to promote their election. Ali Al Jabri has placed a promotion poster, extolling his background, on the roundabout outside the building in which the Majlis Al Shura works. A competing candidate in Muscat, Dr Khalid Al Zadjali, promotes himself in a similar fashion.
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As an update – the results are here http://www.omaninfo.om/english/module.php?module=topics-showtopic&CatID=39&ID=887
and Al Al Jabri won in Muscat. Once again a single female was elected – for A’Seeb: Ne’mah bint Jamiel bin Farhan al-Busaidiyah. In Dhofar there was a female candidate and perhaps she will win next time.
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