Qataris vote in municipal polls

Qataris head to the polls on Tuesday to elect the only municipal council in the Gulf nation, which is yet to stage legislative elections promised after a constitution was created in 2005.

One hundred and one candidates, including four women, are vying for 29 council seats which represent the entire country in the election where 32,000 people are eligible to cast ballots. Only one woman served on the outgoing council.

Posters of candidates have been on display across the capital Doha, with many carrying promises related to services while ignoring politics. There were none of any female candidates. Candidates are also using the internet and Facebook to post their manifestos.

Qatar has a population of about 1.7 million, but nationals are estimated at more than 200,000 people. Foreigners, lured by work opportunities created by the fast economic growth of the energy-rich nation, represent the majority.

In June 2005, Qatar signed into effect a constitution for the first time since independence from Britain in 1971 with the aim of introducing democratic reforms.

The constitution, which passed in a 2003 referendum, provides for legislative power to be vested in a Shura Consultative Council, or parliament, made up of 45 members, two thirds of whom would be elected and the rest appointed by the emir.

Currently, the Shura Council is named by the emir and, despite the changes, political parties are to remain banned.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassem bin Jaber Al Thani said in February that Doha was working on organising legislative polls "in the near future", adding the elections had been delayed because of "preparing special laws."

The Al Thani family has dominated Qatar since the mid-1800s, and until now has retained absolute control over all aspects of government.

Qatar boasts natural gas reserves of 900 trillion cubic feet, the third largest in the world. A member of the Opec oil cartel, it also pumps around 800,000bpd of crude oil.
 

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