Doha: Qatari citizens continue to cast their votes in the sixth municipal elections in Qatar to elect their representatives to the 45-member Central Municipal Council (CMC), which consists of 29 members elected by direct ballot.
Voters headed Tuesday morning to the headquarters of committees inside and outside Doha, which are witnessing a remarkable turnout according to population density of each constituency and the number of candidates competing.
Speaking to Qatar News Agency (QNA), the presidents of the committees, candidates and voters praised the excellent arrangements and the good preparation of these elections and said that they elections consolidate the democratic path initiated by the wise leadership, enhance popular participation and awareness of the common responsibility of all citizens, voters and officials, and promote them in accordance with the Qatar National Vision 2030.
They also thanked the Ministry of the Interior for starting preparations for these elections from an early date and creating all the conditions and possibilities to fulfill its obligations easily and in a fair, reassuring and comfortable atmosphere. They expressed their confidence that Qatar is the winner of this elections and that the electoral programs are winning because the goal is to serve the regions and citizens of the constituencies, which means the contribution of everyone to the development of the country and the promotion of the welfare of the people.
The Head of the Election Commission in the 15th constituency Judge Al-Reem Al Nuaimi said that the voting process is proceeding easily and in accordance with the arrangements and procedures that have been taken and adopted in this regard, pointing to the high turnout of voters to cast their votes and choose their candidates freely.
She said five candidates are competing in the 15th constituency, which has more than 800 voters.
The candidates of this constituency were: Eng. Ahmed Sultan Al Kuwari, Saadoun Arhamah Ahmed Al Jaham Al Kuwari, Mubarak Quresh Mubarak Saleh Al Salem, Rashid Mubarak Bati Al Jafali Al Nuaimi and Saleh Fadl Ali Al Bati Al Kaabi who all said that voting process is proceeding easily. They stressed that after nearly 20 years of organizing the first municipal elections in 1999, the citizen has acquired a practice culture of elections and the democratic process that is now conducted in the municipal elections freely to choose according to personal convictions.
They thanked the wise leadership that allowed all voters and candidates to exercise their electoral rights in the interest of the country and the benefit of the citizens, especially the fulfillment of their commitments and what is stated in their electoral programs to serve their regions.
Voter Saleh Al Kaabi of this constituency said that it is required to expand the powers of the Municipal Council to be more than a consultative, and voters must implement what is stated in their slogans and programs so as not to be mere propaganda and electoral promises.
Voter 'Um Shaheen' said that citizens wanted services in their areas and be provided with a lot of municipal services, so that they choose freely what they think is suitable.
In the 17 constituency, the Head of its Electoral Committee, Judge Nayef Mohammed Al Rabiah Al Kuwari, said that the voting process proceeded in an orderly manner and without any complications, noting that all voters, including the elderly and people with special needs, cast their votes for the selection of their representatives in the CMC membership freely and impartially.
He pointed out that the number of voters in this constituency is 780, adding that the turnout is good, and expected to continue at a higher rate until the closing of the ballot boxes at 5 pm.
Voter from the 17th constituency Khamees Abdullah Bakhmeis said that the winning candidates should give priority to areas that lack infrastructure, and said that the State is playing its role in this area, but the candidate needs to seek more services needed by his region and his constituency.
For his part, voter Saed Jobran Al Yafei said the voting process is going well, thanking the Ministry of Interior and the committee concerned with the organization and heads of committees and all those concerned for their efforts in conducting this important electoral process.
Hadi Salem Al Shahwani, Head of the Electoral Committee in the 3rd constituency, thanked the Ministry of the Interior, which has done everything necessary to facilitate the voting and election process, and even managed it with all success months ago.
He explained that 850 voters are in this circle and that many of them have voted and exercised their democratic right so far.
Jamal Al Yafei and Khalid Saif Al Kubaisi of this constituency termed the voter turnout and the selection of their candidates in the municipal elections as a national duty and a right to vote that must be done on the path of democratic practice and popular participation in the state and joint efforts to serve the regions and constituencies.
Head of the committee in the first constituency in Al Markhiyah area, Judge Hessa Al Sulaiti said that the voting process is proceeding normally that reflects the deep social awareness of democratic practice. She praised the obvious efforts of the Ministry of the Interior to supervise this process at all stages.
She confirmed in a statement to QNA that the voting process, which started at 8 am, goes smoothly without any obstacles and with judicial supervision. She said that they did not notice any violations, and that everyone is aware of the importance of popular participation in the development process in the country.
In turn, the first constituency's candidates expressed their gratitude to the Ministry of the Interior for its efforts to organize the electoral process to ensure transparency and integrity and to facilitate the voting process for voters who began to enter polling stations since the first hours.
Candidate Mohamed Ahmed Al Bishri said that the morning period witnessed a remarkable public interaction in the electoral centers to select the members of the CMC, wishing more turnout during the afternoon.
He added that the country is witnessing an accelerated development process that requires the mobilization of energies and competencies and active participation of all Qatari people and institutions. The municipal council, one of these institutions, is active in the development process.
Another candidate in the first constituency, Jassim Al Maliki said that the electoral process is proceeding normally. The various committees in in all constituencies practice their functions with precision and professionalism, reflecting the long experience gained by the supervisory committee of the Ministry of Interior during the previous elections.
For his part, citizen Salem Al Mannai said that he commend the wonderful organization and the great efforts made by the Ministry of Interior for the success of the electoral process, expecting the Council to play a bigger role in the coming period within the framework of the competencies and tasks defined by the law. All the candidates are enthusiastic to serve the nation, he added.
In the fourth constituency, in the Southern Khalifa area, head of the committee Judge Fatima Abdulla Al Mal confirmed that the polling process is proceeding smoothly and the turnout is good so far, expecting more voters during the afternoon period.
Judge Al Mal said in a statement to QNA that all committees cooperate in facilitating the electoral process. She expressed her happiness to participate in the electoral process and to participate in this important experiment that enhances the democratic process and popular participation.
In the same constituency, the candidate Khalid Al Hitmi expressed his happiness at this democratic experiment, saying that he is excited to serve the country, citizens and residents on this good land, adding that is why he is competing in this experiment with enthusiasm.
Badr Sultan Al Rumaihi, a candidate in the same constituency said the process is going on according to the rules and regulations set by the law. The electoral committee of the constituency is making good efforts to ensure that the process is carried out in a smooth manner, adding that voters have shown a high awareness of the electoral process.
For his part, head of the electoral committee in the fifth constituency, in Shabiyat Khalifa area Judge Mohammad Fadhil Al Qadi, said that the level of turnout is very good, especially from women. He pointed out that the turnout began from the early hours of the voting process. He pointed out in his statement to QNA that the level of the preparation by the Ministry of the Interior and the various technical committees ensured easy voting process. The voting process takes only one to two minutes, without complications, he said.
In the same constituency, candidate Mohamed Salem Al Qamra Al Marri said that he was competing for the third time in this elections, which witnessed a good turnout during the morning, and expected to get increased after the end of working hours.
Rashid Dakhilallah Al Nabit, another candidate in the fifth constituency, stressed that the elections are characterized by discipline, cooperation and adherence to all electoral rules. Everyone is keen on making this election a success and strengthening the democratic process.
Fatima Hamad Al Hajri, a volunteer in the same constituency, said that she received extensive training on how to assist voters during the voting process, verifying their identities, and informing them about the rules that guarantee their ballot confidentially.
Voter Hend Dakhilallah Al Nabit praised the level of preparation for these elections and preparations and committees formed by the Ministry of Interior for this purpose, hailing their cooperation with voters and the voting process that lasted only two minutes.
Head of the electoral committee in the 8th constituency in Old Airport Judge Mohammed Mubarak Al Dossari said polling process is witnessing a remarkable turnout of citizens since the opening of the ballot boxes at 8 am.
In a statement to Qatar news Agency (QNA) he said 1,975 voters are registered in the 8th constituency, and they vote for two candidates in this constituency.
He added that the electoral process, which continues until 5 pm today, is proceeding smoothly and according to the procedures. He said that the Ministry of Interior has made great efforts to organize the polling process, which has no breaches recorded so far.
He explained that each election session has been witnessing further development in the voting process, where the best process is being adopted from the beginning to the end of the process.
Al Dossari added that the municipal elections, reflects the democracy in the country and is the best evidence of the progress and prosperity in the State of Qatar.
He said the participation of judge advocates in the election committees for the first time comes with the aim of providing them with the necessary experience and to qualify them to be heads of electoral committees in the future.
Member of the electoral committee in the 8th constituency Moza Al Ishaq said the turnout of women in this session of the municipal elections is higher than previous sessions, thanks to raising awareness of the importance of voting to choose a candidate.
She added that the elections are proceeding according to plan since morning thanks to the prior coordination between all concerned parties.
Head of the electoral committee in the 10th constituency in Al Maamoura Judge Hamad bin Saleh Al Nabet said the voting process has been going smoothly since the opening of the ballot boxes, stressing that the proceedings at this session are much better than previous sessions in terms of speed as it does not take more than two minutes.
In a statement to QNA he said there is a large turnout in the 10th constituency, which has about 900 voters, thanks to voter awareness and keenness to participate in this democratic event.
He said the turnout of women voters at this session was significant, adding that the voting process continues until 5 pm and the electoral districts are expected to witness even greater interest till closing time.
Member of the electoral committee in the 10th constituency Judge Advocate Abdullah Abdulrahman Al Abdullah said it is the first time judge advocates participate in the elections, in aim to gain more experience on the process of organizing elections and supervising electoral stations in the future.
Member of the electoral committee in the 10th constituency Sharifa Ali Ibrahim Al Mudahka said electoral process is proceeding smoothly since the opening of the ballot boxes at 8 am and women's turnout is remarkable. The 10th constituency is registering an increasing number of female voters, she added.
The 6th edition of the elections has 85 candidates, including 5 women, are competing in only 25 constituencies out of 29 constituencies, after four districts have been elected by acclamation, the 7th, 22nd, 27th and 28th.
The voting process will continue until 5 pm on the same day, followed by the counting of votes and the announcement of the winners, on the same day.
