Dubai, Oct 04: The Sultanate of Oman goes to polls today to elect its consultative assembly in the first full ballot in which all registered voters, including women, are allowed to exercise their franchise. Unlike the previous polls for the Majlis al Shura when the government chose a quarter of the population eligible to vote, this time more than 2.62 lakh Omani voters from a population of 2.8 million, or all citizens above the age of 21, go to the booth to choose their representatives in the assembly's fifth term of 2004-2006.
Though there are only about 15 women candidates in the fray, women's participation is being considered as a trendsetter in the Sultanate. Statistics show that there are 1,00,000 women among a total of 2,62,000 registered voters. The polls are seen as a significant reform introduced by the ruler Sultan Qaboos, to ensure more participation of Omani citizens and to enhance the Majlis' role as a partner to the government and also as a link between the administration and citizens.
The new term will commence early next year and will have a three-year duration. As many as 506 candidates will contest the elections. Initial results will be announced later in the day.
Interior Minister Sayyid Saud bin Ibrahim al Busaidi said the fifth round of elections will be considerably different from previous elections as all citizens will be able to take part as electors or candidates without any restrictions or imposed quotas. Bureau Report