Oman Holds Fully-Digitized Elections

Omani Ministers of Interior and Information at the opening of an exhibition to present the voting stages for members of the Shura Council in Oman (Al-Omaniya)
Omani Ministers of Interior and Information at the opening of an exhibition to present the voting stages for members of the Shura Council in Oman (Al-Omaniya)
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Oman Holds Fully-Digitized Elections

Omani Ministers of Interior and Information at the opening of an exhibition to present the voting stages for members of the Shura Council in Oman (Al-Omaniya)
Omani Ministers of Interior and Information at the opening of an exhibition to present the voting stages for members of the Shura Council in Oman (Al-Omaniya)

Omani voters cast their ballots on Sunday to elect the members of the Shura Council’s tenth term. Voting took place without papers or boxes, using an updated version of an electronic platform, which was inaugurated for the first time in 2019.

In addition to the voting process, the application was used to register voters, announce the lists, and complete the candidates’ applications.

The Oman Telecommunications Company confirmed that the protective systems are working with high efficiency and that no attempts at cyber-attacks have been recorded.

According to the final electoral lists, 843 candidates, including 32 women, competed in these elections to choose the 90 members of the Shura Council, while the total number of voters reached 753,690. Last Sunday, Omani nationals living abroad cast their votes electronically.

The Omani Shura Council, which was established in 1991 as a substitute for a consultative council established in 1981, is elected for a four-year term and has the powers to review, propose and amend the state’s public and economic policies.

The council, however, does not interfere in matters related to defense, internal security, and foreign policy. The elected council, together with the appointed State Council, forms the “Council of Oman”.



UAE, Egypt Stress Need for Unimpeded Delivery of Aid to Gaza

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi meet in Abu Dhabi on Thursday. (WAM)
UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi meet in Abu Dhabi on Thursday. (WAM)
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UAE, Egypt Stress Need for Unimpeded Delivery of Aid to Gaza

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi meet in Abu Dhabi on Thursday. (WAM)
UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi meet in Abu Dhabi on Thursday. (WAM)

The United Arab Emirates and Egypt stressed on Thursday the need for the unimpeded delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza.

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan received in Abu Dhabi on Thursday Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi for talks on bilateral relations and means to bolster them to meet their nations’ aspirations.

They reviewed the latest regional and international developments and welcomed the Gaza ceasefire and prisoner and hostage exchange.

They underlined their keenness on the full implementation of the deal to help end the bloodshed of the Palestinian people.

Both leaders reaffirmed the need for continued efforts to implement the two-state solution in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, recognizing it as the pathway to achieving lasting and comprehensive peace and stability in the region.

Sheikh Mohamed hailed Egypt’s strenuous mediation efforts to reach a ceasefire, said an Egyptian presidency spokesman.

The leaders also addressed the developments in Lebanon, welcoming the election of Joseph Aoun as president, hoping it will help restore stability in the country.

They emphasized the need to consolidate the ceasefire in Lebanon to protect its people.

On Syria, Sheikh Mohamed and Sisi underscored their keenness on the country’s unity and stability. They stressed the importance of the launch of a comprehensive and inclusive political process.

The leaders discussed meens to restore stability in Sudan, Libya, Yemen and Somalia.