Al-Sharq, Al-Watan Commend Steps to Reinforce Longstanding Qatari Shura Traditions

Doha, July 12 (QNA) - In their editorials on Monday, Al-Sharq and Al-Watan newspapers highlighted the State of Qatar's continued efforts in the arrangements and preparations to hold the Shura Council elections in October 2021, noting that HE Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz Al-Thani issued yesterday a decision to form the supervisory committee and executive committees concerned with the Shura Council elections and define their terms of reference. The papers explained that the Supervisory Committee, according to the decision, is responsible for taking all necessary and appropriate measures to prepare for the Shura Council elections, including supervising the proper conduct of the electoral process and providing the requirements for the various work of the executive committees. The papers stressed that the coming elections will be held in accordance with fair and transparent procedures to strengthen the Qatari shura traditions, and develop the legislation process and enhance citizen participation, by supporting the holding of free and just elections that ensure wide popular participation to choose the best and most efficient, pointing out that the decision at the end is made by the citizens who will choose whom gets to represent them in the elected Shura Council through the ballot boxes. For its part, Al-Sharq newspaper said in its editorial that Qatar continues its efforts in the arrangements and preparations to hold the Shura Council elections in October 2021, in implementation of the announcement of HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani in November 2020, highlighting that this step received wide recognition that was embodied in the international welcome and the satisfaction of the citizens, who expressed their gratitude to the wise leadership in the enhancement of popular participation in accordance with the constitution promulgated in 2004 and based on a comprehensive national vision. The paper also referred to the decision issued on Sunday by HE Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz Al-Thani to form the supervisory committee and executive committees concerned with the Shura Council elections and define their terms of reference, adding that the Supervisory Committee, according to the decision, is responsible for taking all necessary and appropriate measures to prepare for the Shura Council elections, including supervising the proper conduct of the electoral process and providing the requirements for the various work of the executive committees. The paper explained that prior to this step, the Cabinet issued at the beginning of July, a number of important decisions related to the arrangements for the elections, noting that these decisions included taking the appropriate measures to issue a draft law on the election system of the Shura Council and a draft law on the Shura Council, in addition to the approval of a draft decree defining the electoral districts of the Shura Council and their respective regions. Al-Sharq concluded its editorial by affirming that these decisions and arrangements reflect the State's commitment to hold the Shura Council elections on time, considering that they represent a constitutional development towards a new stage that reinforces the longstanding Qatari Shura traditions, which are based on just and rational governance, as well as the inclusion of citizens in political participation and consolidating the rule of law and the state of institutions. In turn, Al-Watan newspaper said that HE Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz Al-Thani issued decision No. 53 of 2021 to form the supervisory committee and executive committees concerned with the Shura Council elections and define their terms of reference. The decision stipulated that the Supervisory Committee of the Shura Council elections 2021 will be headed by Director of the Elections Department at the Ministry of Interior Maj. Gen. Majid Ibrahim Al Khulaifi and Director of Legal Affairs Department at the Ministry Brig. Salem Saqr Al Muraikhi will be the vice-chairman, while heads of executive committees formed under it will be committee members, the paper said. The paper said that the Supervisory Committee, according to the decision, is responsible for taking all necessary and appropriate measures to prepare for the Shura Council elections, including supervising the proper conduct of the electoral process and providing the requirements for the various work of the executive committees formed under it such as legal, security, technical, media, and the logistics committees. These elections will take place next October according to the constitution that underwent a referendum, and according to fair and transparent procedures to strengthen the traditions of the Qatari Shura, develop the legislative process, and enhance citizen participation, by supporting the holding of free and fair elections that guarantee wide popular participation to choose the best and most efficient, the paper said, noting that the decision in the end is the citizens decision alone to choose who represents him in the elected Shura Council through the ballot boxes. Al-Watan concluded by saying that the State's leadership was keen, in the draft electoral system law, that money would not have a role in the electoral process, as it put a ceiling on spending on electoral advertising, and criminalized any candidate obtaining foreign support or funding, as well as any attempt to buy votes, with the aim of creating an elected assembly that expresses our aspirations. (QNA)