Oman: The number of female candidates planning to run for the Shura Council elections has doubled, compared to the previous term, which began in 2015.
A total of 43 female candidates and 724 male candidates are vying for seats in the Shura Council, according to statistics issued by the Ministry of Interior. In 2015 there were only 20 female candidates.
The 767 candidates of this year’s Shura Council term include 32 candidates who have PhDs, 92 with MA degrees, 249 have BA degrees, 74 have higher diplomas, and 321 have general education diplomas.
The Shura Council comprises of 85 elected members representing all the Wilayats of Oman. The members of the Council are elected every four years.
Voting for Shura Council candidates is much easier this year because of the presence of the electronic voting system, called “Your voice”.
Oman’s Shura Council was established in 1991 to replace the Consultative State Council, which lasted from 1981 until 1991.