Newspapers: Qatar Consolidates Foundations of State of Institutions and Rule of Law

Doha, August 03 (QNA) - Qatari newspapers affirmed in their editorials Tuesday that the State of Qatar is continuing its development path, investing in people, and consolidating the foundations of the state of institutions and the rule of law for the advancement of the country. In this regard, the newspapers noted the wise leadership's keenness that the Shura Council be a true representative of the will of the Qatari people. Al-Watan daily said that with HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani's issuance of Law No. 6 of 2021 regarding the election system of the Shura Council, Law No. 7 of 2021 regarding the Shura Council, and the decree No. 37 of 2021 defining the electoral districts of the Shura Council and their respective regions, and with HE Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz Al-Thani's issuance of two decisions to form the candidates and voters' committees and the system and controls for their work and a decision specifying the sources of financing electoral campaigns and the controls and procedures for supervising them, the Shura Council elections have completed their constitutional, legislative and organizational frameworks, as the registration of voters for the first Shura Council's election began on Sunday. The paper also referred to HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior's inspection of a number of election committee headquarters, in order to make sure of all the necessary preparations are ready for the registration process in the voters' lists for the Shura Council elections before they start, in addition to the electronic registration through text messages or through Metrash application. The newspaper stressed that participation in the elections is a national duty and responsibility, noting that as HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior affirmed, what is required is a broad participation worthy of this historic entitlement, which establishes a new stage of Qatari citizens' participation in public affairs his contribution to making the future and prosperity of the country. In conclusion, Al-Watan said that the State of Qatar's wise leadership has made sure that the Shura Council is a true representative of people's will, and this is a big responsibility that we have to assume in the best possible way. For its part, Al-Raya newspaper said in its editorial that the State of Qatar is continuously moving forward in its developmental path and investment in people, as well as consolidating the foundations of the state of institutions and the rule of law - for the prosperity of the country, so that it occupies a distinguished position among the ranks of the developed countries. The paper explained that in order to achieve success in the electoral process for the selection of members of the Shura Council, the media platform launched by the Media Support Committee for the Shura Council Elections of Qatar Media Corporation will provide candidates with fair and equal opportunities to appear in the media through several media platforms, to present themselves and their programs to the electorate in the constituencies. The paper also said that the State of Qatar seeks to provide all candidates with equal opportunities to ensure that their voices have reached voters by presenting their electoral programs in a framework of transparency and without obstacles, in order to make it easier for the voters to choose their representatives in the council, perform legislative and oversight roles, achieve the higher interest of the state by expanding popular participation in decision-making and to practice public work. The paper noted that the online platform will provide a number of services including personal photography, filming an introductory video for the candidate and his electoral program, audio recording, graphic design, a television interview and a radio interview, as well as a complete introductory guide to the laws and legislation in the State of Qatar, the Shura Council elections law, the electoral districts decree and how to exercise the electoral right. Al-Raya concluded its editorial by saying that through its website, the platform will also provide a guide to the conditions that must be met, the procedures for registration in the voters' lists, everything related to submitting objections and appeals, and the places, dates and procedures for submission, as Qatar always aspires to make steps and matters easier and simpler for voters, and ensures that any needed information regarding the electoral process will be available on this platform. For its part, The Peninsula English newspaper said in its editorial Tuesday that in implementation of the provisions of the Qatari Constitution and Qatar National Vision 2030 (QNV 2030) and with aims of enhancing the participation of citizens in the decision-making process, HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani issued law on the issuance of the Shura Council's Electoral System law and a decree defining the electoral districts of the Shura Council and their respective regions. The paper said that as per the new law, approved by HH the Amir, HE Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz Al-Thani also issued three decisions: one to form the candidates' committee, and the system and controls for its work; second specifying the sources of financing electoral campaigns and the controls and procedures for supervising it and third to form the voters' committee and the system and controls for its work. The Peninsula affirmed that these laws and decisions related to the Shura Council elections represent a legislative and organizational guarantee to facilitate and ensure integrity of the electoral process. The right way of beginning will establish solid transparent ground for fair electoral system by presenting these steps and procedures as a model for future good practices in managing the election process, it added. The newspaper underlined that in line with Electoral System law, the Ministry of interior defined the conditions that the voter must meet, and procedures for registration applications through the Metrash2 app, or by text message, or by personally attending to one of the thirty electoral headquarters. The paper added that after completing all the preparations in terms of legislative, logistic supplies to ensure fair and transparent elections, the final decision remains for the citizen to choose those whom they see competent and able to serve the country and this is a responsibility that will not be lesser important than any other responsibilities that citizens have towards their country and its people. The Peninsula concluded its editorial by saying that there is a need for everyone to give priority to the supreme interest of the country to choose the best candidates in the voting stage to make the Shura Council a true representative of the will of the citizens, while expanding the popular participation in decision-making and develop legislative system. (QNA)