Qatar initiated a sudden poll on Tuesday to determine whether to discontinue its restricted voting for legislative seats, a move expected to be approved and terminate its brief trial of electing members to the advisory Shura Council.
The voting commenced amidst global attention on the U.S. presidential election, with even Qatar's state-funded satellite news network Al Jazeera briefly acknowledging the vote amid coverage of the U.S. and Middle East conflicts. Although Qatar's ruling emir announced the vote last month, the date of the poll was only disclosed on Sunday.
Voting is scheduled to continue until 7 p.m. (1600 GMT) with results anticipated on Wednesday. All Qatari employees were permitted to leave work from 11 a.m. to cast their votes.
Qatar's state news agency described the voting as a moment of enthusiasm and historical significance, reflecting the commitment of all participants to ensure the success of this national event. The agency emphasized that the vote would enhance social cohesion and represent a crucial phase in the country's progress and national unity.
Qatar initially proposed legislative elections in its 2003 constitution but repeatedly postponed their implementation. The country eventually conducted elections for two-thirds of the Shura Council in October 2021, responsible for law drafting, budget approval, and advising the ruler.
The elections followed the resolution of a boycott against Qatar by Bahrain, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, which had fractured the Gulf Arab states. They also preceded Qatar's hosting of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, a highly scrutinized event concerning the country's treatment of foreign workers and governance system.
However, the election process encountered challenges in Qatar. The electoral law differentiated between native and naturalized Qatari citizens, barring the latter from electoral participation. Human Rights Watch criticized this system as discriminatory, leading to protests and arrests.
Sheikh Tamim, in announcing the vote on constitutional amendments, expressed concerns about the competition for Shura Council membership, fearing it could disrupt social norms and traditions.
This vote signifies a regression in the Gulf Arab states' gradual steps towards representative governance, following U.S. pressure for democratic reforms post-9/11 and the optimism of the 2011 Arab Spring.
In a similar move, Kuwait's ruler dissolved the parliament for up to four years in May, despite the parliament being the most independent legislative body in the Gulf region.
