Omanis accessed their smartphones to elect members of the municipal councils for the third term.
Just before polls closed, turnout was just over 40 percent, as 288,460 of the 731,767 eligible voters chose 126 representatives from the 696 candidates.
The Minister of Interior, Hammoud Faisal al-Busaidi, met the committee for the elections of municipal representatives and was briefed on the progress of the electoral process.
The Undersecretary of the Ministry of Interior and Chairman of the Main Committee for Third Term Municipal Councils' Elections, Khalid Hilal al-Busaidi, announced the winners of the elections on Sunday evening.
Busaidi told Asharq Al-Awsat that the municipal council elections' voting process was smooth and easy, without any significant issues.
He indicated that the authorities wanted to ensure the process was done via the latest voting technologies, and the best technical solutions would be adopted for sorting, counting, and announcing results.
The municipal elections grant citizens greater powers in development and partnership in decision-making.
Omani women recorded a narrow victory in these elections.
The Interior Ministry had previously developed electronic methods to facilitate the ballot count, allowing for a quick announcement of results. People voted in person, and the votes were counted electronically.
Despite the use of mobile phones, voter turnout was similar to the municipal council elections in 2016, which stood at 39.80 percent.
The "Intakhib" application was designed according to security standards, with full confidentiality within the election process. It aims to make casting votes an easy and convenient operation.
The process requires a smartphone equipped with the NFC feature, a connection to the Internet, and a valid personal card. The voter must also be registered in the electoral register.
The Oman Human Rights Commission praised the election process, noting that e-vote allowed all citizens to exercise their rights.
The municipal council extends for four years and consists of a chairman and members appointed by their job descriptions and elected members representing the states affiliated to the governorate, with two members from each state.
According to Article 21 of the municipal law, the city councils are concerned with reviewing draft development plans within the scope of the governorate, development projects, services, urban programs, and the governorate's public utilities and services.
It is also concerned with making recommendations related to public health, proposing regulations for health requirements for activities related to public health, and participating with the competent authorities in determining development projects and structural and public urban plans.
The councils also decide on unique plans in residential, commercial, industrial, and tourist areas and organize cultural, entertainment, and tourism events.
It is also concerned with approving programs to help eligible groups, caring for orphans and people with disabilities in coordination with the concerned authorities, and proposing programs to help those affected by natural disasters and climatic conditions.
