Doha, 02 October 2021 (QNA/Ashraf Siddiqui)

Qatar made history on Saturday as Qataris voted in the  country’s first legislative elections to choose two-thirds  members of the Shura Council.

Eligible voters trickled in throughout the day across  various polling stations to  elect 30 members of the 45-seat body. Polling stations closed their doors at 6 pm, following large voter turnout of  citizens in the country’s first-ever legislative elections.the voting saw large participation of women, with thousands of women voters taking part in choosing the candidates. all 30 polling stations spread across the country witnessed a large turnout from all segments of the society, who were delighted with the democratic event and praised the ease of procedures and the excellent organization by the Ministry of Interior, the Supreme Judicial Council and the designated authorities.

In a statement, the Ministry of Interior said the first legislative elections took place on Saturday under the direct supervision of Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa in Abdulaziz Al Thani, was a huge success.

The statement said the voting began at 8 am and continued until 6 pm, and every one was keen to show a spirit of responsible citizenship and what compliments the national duty.

The Ministry of the Interior commended the high patriotic spirit that prevailed on the day of polling, as well as the efforts made by all parties that contributed to the success of this historic event.

Major General Majid Ibrahim al Khulaifi, Head of the Supervisory Committee for the Shura Council elections, announced the names of the 30 winning candidates in the Shura Council elections.

He said 63.5 percent of the total voters exercise their franchise. Al Khulaifi declared the names of the winning candidates in elections for the Shura Council.

Qatari nationals from all segments of the society over-whelmingly participated in the first-ever general legislative elections to choose 30 members of the shura Council in a house of 45 members. the remaining 15 members of the council will be nominated under an Amiri decree by the Amir His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. Altogether, 234 candidates, including 26 females, contested the shura Council elections.

Polling started at 8am in 30 various polling stations across the country and lasted until 6pm.the voters praised the ease of procedures and the arrangements made by Ministry of interior to keep smooth and peaceful atmosphere for the process.

Khaled Mohamed Shakri, a candidate, said, “i am very appy having an opportunity to serve my country and my nationals'. He expressed hope that people would be casting their votes in favour of the deserving candidates and not for family or friendship sake.

Talking to Qatar tribune, Miss Al Emadi expressed optimism that people would be electing right people who will bring positive change to the society and the Shura Council. She said that Qatari women have been playing a very positive role in the development of the country and towards building the society, stressing that seeing a good number of females contesting the elections would help having a reasonable number of women members in the Shura Council.

Holding general elections in Qatar to choose members of the shura Council made Qatar the second country after Kuwait, among GCC states, to provide rights of electing members of the legislative council. However, Qatar has been conducting general elections to the Central Municipality Council since 2009.