Doha, 06 Nov. 2024 (QNA)

Amir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani ratified the constitutional amendments of 2024 to the Permanent Constitution of the State of Qatar, after reviewing the results of the referendum held on yesterday, 5th of  o 3rd of Jumada Al-Awwal 1446, corresponding to Nov. 5, 2024, and the constitutional amendments obtaining an approval rate of 90.6 percent of the total valid votes.

These amendments are effective from the date of announcing the referendum results and to be published in the Official Gazette.

Yesterday, Minister of Interior and Chairman of the General Referendum Committee Sheikh Khalifa bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani announced that the draft constitutional amendments to the permanent constitution of the State of Qatar received a popular approval rate of 90.6 percent of the total valid votes.

He said that the results of the referendum resulted in the participation of 84 percent of eligible citizens, as the percentage of votes in favor of the constitutional amendments reached 89 percent, while the percentage of votes that did not approve reached 9.2 percent, while the percentage of invalid votes reached 1.8 percent.

Amendment to Article (1) outlines the foundations of the democratic system, based on Shura, justice, and the rule of law—principles that are consistent with Islamic Sharia and essential for societal stability and progress.

The amendment of Article (80) guarantees the right of all Qatari citizens to be appointed to the Shura Council, ensuring equal citizenship, while Article (117) guarantees the right of any Qatari citizen, regardless of how they obtained citizenship, to assume a ministerial position.

Additionally, the new article that allows Amir of State of Qatar to convene with the Shura Council, the Ruling Family Council, and the People of Solution and Contract reflects a deeper level of engagement in governance and decision-making.