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)
TT

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”.



Saudi Arabia, Thailand Discuss Ways to Enhance Cooperation

The Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs met in Bangkok with his Thai counterpart. SPA
The Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs met in Bangkok with his Thai counterpart. SPA
TT

Saudi Arabia, Thailand Discuss Ways to Enhance Cooperation

The Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs met in Bangkok with his Thai counterpart. SPA
The Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs met in Bangkok with his Thai counterpart. SPA

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah met on Thursday with Thai Minister of Foreign Affairs Maris Sangiampongsa in Bangkok.

The two sides discussed bilateral relations and explored ways to enhance cooperation across various fields. They also addressed regional and international issues of mutual interest.

Attending the meeting were Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs Ambassador Dr. Saud Al-Sati, Saudi Ambassador to Thailand Abdulrahman Al-Suhaibani, Advisor to the Foreign Minister Mohammed Al-Yahya, and Assistant Director General of the Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs Waleed Al-Ismail.