Qatar Sets Date for Shura Council Elections

The Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, issued a decree specifying the date for electing members of the Shura Council. The decree states that the elections will be held on Saturday, October 2, 2021. It noted that "citizens registered in the voters' lists in all electoral districts will be called to cast their votes in the elections for the members of the Shura Council on the specified date." Two-thirds of the 45 members of the Shura Council will be elected, while the Emir will appoint the remaining members. The council will have legislative authority and will approve state public policies and the budget. In response to the new royal decree, the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz Al Thani, urged Qataris to "actively participate in the first elections in the history of the State of Qatar." He affirmed that these elections "will take place under the banner of national unity, which has been established by the Emir." He added that "our principle in elections is the complete conviction that Qataris are equal in rights and duties, and that achieving this principle requires respecting the provisions of the constitution, national traditions, and norms."