Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani issued Law No. 6 of 2021 on the issuance of the Shura Council’s Electoral System law. The law is effective starting from its date of issuance and is to be published in the official gazette.
H H the Amir also issued a decree No. 37 of 2021 defining the electoral districts of the Shura Council and their respective regions.
The Decree stipulated that the electoral districts of the Shura Council and their respective regions shall be defined as indicated in the table attached to this Decree. One member shall be elected for each electoral district from the constituencies indicated in the table. The Decree is effective from the date of its issuance and is to be published in the official gazette.
As per the new law, approved by H H the Amir, the Shura Council election system law is in line with the Qatari Constitution and Qatar National Vision 2030, which aims to enhance the participation of citizens in the decision-making process. Voters registration will run from August 1 to 5.
The current Shura Council comprises 45 members, 30 of whom are directly elected in a secret general ballot, while the remaining 15 are appointed by H H the Amir.
The terms of service of the appointed members end either when they resign or are relieved from their posts. In November 2020, H H the Amir announced that the Shura Council would hold its first-ever elections in 2021.
Citizens aged 18 and above and whose grandfather was born in Qatar are eligible to vote in districts where their tribe or family reside.
The candidates must be of Qatari origin and at least 30 years old, and fluent in Arabic, reading, and writing. The law caps campaign spending at QR2m.
Candidates must be registered in the electoral district in which he is contesting.
They should be of good reputation, good conduct, and known for honesty, integrity, and good manners.
Candidates must not have been finally convicted of a crime against honour or trust unless he has been rehabilitated per the law.-The law in Qatar has criminalised foreign funding, especially in the elections of the Shura Council. It has established deterrent penalties to ensure the absence of such violations that affect legislature, as it is punishable by imprisonment for a period not exceeding five years and a fine not exceeding QR10m or one of these two penalties, for any candidate who requests, accepts or receives transferable or secure funds, directly or indirectly, or obtains an advantage or benefit from any foreign person or entity, to support him or finance his electoral campaign, as well as confiscate the funds and benefits obtained, to re-run the election if this candidate wins the elections in the district in which he won.
The Shura Council elections law prohibits any attempt by a campaigner to divide society, stir up tribal or sectarian strife, or infringe on the sanctity of religion, morals, and authentic societal customs. The law also criminalises any form of abuse of competing candidates under the penalty of liability.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Interior (MoI) has launched awareness campaigns for the election process. In a post on its official Twitter, the MoI noted that voters could begin registration from August 1 by sending a message to 95555 with their QID number or by using the citizen affairs section of the Metrash2 app, containing their national address. Voters can also register by visiting the election centre where they’ll get help from officials.
Earlier this month, authorities announced establishing a Supervisory Committee and multiple other executive committees dedicated to dealing with the Shura Council elections.
Qatar has been divided into 30 electoral districts, with one candidate elected for each district.
The electoral districts are, Fereej Al Khulaifat, Fereej Al Hatmi, Fereej Al Salata, Al Mirqab, Old Al Ghanim, Msheireb, Al Jasra, Al Bidda, Barahat Al Jufairy, Doha Al Jadeeda, Rawdat Al Khail, Al Rumailah, Fereej Al Najada, South Al Wakra, North Al Wakra, As Sayliyah, Old Rayyan, Al Kharaitiyat, Al Daayen, Al Khor & Thakhira, Al Mashrab, Al Ghariya, Al Ruwais, Aba Dhalouf, Al Jumail, alghuwariya, Nasraniya & Lekhraib, Dukhan, Al Kharsa’ah, Ummahat Sawi & Al Uwaynah and Rawdat Rashid.
