Qatar to hold its first elections on October 2

Qatar is set to conduct its first elections on Saturday, October 2, to elect members of the Shura Council.

The Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani issued Decree No. 40 of 2021, setting the aforementioned date for the election, according to Qatar’s Government Communications Office (GCO) website.

The election is for 30 members of the 45-seat Shura Council, while Sheikh Tamim will appoint the remaining 15 members.

Candidate registration opened in August, when the Supervisory Committee for the Shura Council elections began receiving applications.

The Council has legislative authority and approves the government’s general budget. The Shura Council also represents Qatar in numerous parliamentary associations and international organisations. Its term of office shall be four calendar years commencing from the date of the first meeting.

The voting process will begin on Saturday with polling stations opening their doors at 8am. The names of elected members of the Shura Council will be announced on the evening of the election day.