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OMAN
Majles A'Shura (Consultative Council)

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GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE PARLIAMENTARY CHAMBER

Parliament name Majles
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Structure of parliament Bicameral
Chamber name (generic / translated) Majles A'Shura / Consultative Council
Related chamber (for bicameral parliaments) Majles Addawla / State Council
Affiliation to the IPU Yes
Affiliation date(s) 2008 -
LEADERSHIP
President Sheikh Khalid bin Hilal Al Maawali (M) 
Notes Elected on 29 Oct. 2011, re-elected on 4 Nov. 2015.
Secretary General Sheikh Ali bin Nasir bin Hamed Al Mahrooqi (M) 
Notes Appointed on 29 Oct. 2011.
COMPOSITION
Members (statutory / current number) 85 / 85
PERCENTAGE OF WOMEN


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Women (current number) 1 (1.18%)
Mode of designation directly elected 85
Term 4 years
Last renewal dates 25 October 2015
(View details)
CONTACT INFORMATION
Address Majles A'Choura
P.O. Box 981
Postal Code 111
C.P.O. Seeb,
Muscat
Sultanat d'Oman
(Export mailing lists)
Phone (968) 24 85 51 11 (Chairman)
24 85 51 22 (Secretary General)
24 85 50 34 (Inter-Parliamentary Department)
24 85 53 23 (Inter-Parliamentary Department)
Fax (968) 24 85 54 55 (Chairman)
24 85 54 54 (Secretary General)
24 85 50 35 (Inter-Parliamentary Department)
E-mail shura.gov.om@gmail.com
shura_oman@hotmail.com
chairmanship@shura.om
Website
http://www.shura.om/

ELECTORAL SYSTEM

Parliament name Majles
Structure of parliament Bicameral
Chamber name (generic / translated) Majles A'Shura / Consultative Council
Related chamber (for bicameral parliaments) Majles Addawla / State Council
LEGAL FRAMEWORK
Electoral law 25 February 2003
Ministerial resolution No. 26/2003. Last modified: 09.09.2003 (Ministerial resolution No. 121/2003)
Mode of designation directly elected 85
Constituencies Constituencies ("Wilayats") with 30,000 citizens or more have two representatives each; constituencies with less than 30,000 citizens have one representative each.
In the 2015 elections, there were 61 constituencies in all:
- 24 multi-member constituencies (2 seats each)
- 37 single-member constituencies.
Voting system Proportional: - All candidates ran as independents (there is no party list).
- Vacancies arising between general elections are filled by the candidate that obtained the second highest vote.
Voting is not compulsory.
Voter requirements - Omani nationality (including naturalized Omanis);
- Age: 21 years and over;
- No restrictions based on gender, race, education, or social status;
- Registration in the national electoral register.

Disqualifications:
- Membership of military bodies or security apparatus, unless one year has passed since retirement or resignation at the time of registration.
CANDIDATES
Eligibility - Omani nationality (including naturalized Omanis);
- Age: 30 years and over;
- Resident of the district (constituency) being run for;
- Good reputation and conduct in the district (constituency);
- Reasonable level of education and culture;
- Reasonable working experience.

Disqualifications:
- Conviction of any offence or crime of dishonesty or honour;
- Insanity.
Incompatibilities - Membership of the State Council (Majlis al Dawla);
- Holders of public post or office;
- Membership of military bodies or security apparatus, unless two years have passed since retirement or resignation at the time of registration.
Candidacy requirements - Deposit at the candidacy registration committee of the constituency of a resume, passport or national ID copies and candidacy letter or form;
- Possible interview to validate information provided or determine satisfaction of conditions.

LAST ELECTIONS

Parliament name Majles
Structure of parliament Bicameral
Chamber name (generic / translated) Majles A'Shura / Consultative Council
Related chamber (for bicameral parliaments) Majles Addawla / State Council
BACKGROUND
Dates of election / renewal (from/to) 25 October 2015
Timing and scope of renewal Since political parties are banned in Oman, all candidates ran as independents. The elections saw a high turnover, with only 25 of the 84 outgoing members returning to parliament. The sole woman in the outgoing legislature was re-elected, becoming once again the only woman in the new 85-member legislature (see note).

The 2015 elections were held against the backdrop of the war in the bordering Yemen. Many candidates focused on socio-economic issues in Oman, under the leadership of Sultan Qaboos who holds the positions of Head of State, prime minister, foreign, defence, interior and finance minister.

Note:
The statutory number of members increased from 84 to 85 due to an increase in the country's population.
Date of previous elections: 15 October 2011

Date of dissolution of the outgoing legislature: 28 October 2015

Timing of election: Upon normal expiry

Expected date of next elections: October 2019

Number of seats at stake: 85 (full renewal)

Number of candidates: 596 (576 men, 20 women)

Percentage of women candidates: 3.3%

Number of parties contesting the election: N/A
Note: Political parties are banned in Oman

Number of parties winning seats: N/A

Alternation of power: not applicable*
*the monarchy

Number of parties in government: N/A

Names of parties in government: N/A

Date of the first session of the new parliament: 4 November 2015

Name of the new Speaker: Mr. Sheikh Khalid bin Hilal Al Maawali
STATISTICS
Voter turnout
Round no 125 October 2015
Number of registered electors
Voters
Blank or invalid ballot papers
Valid votes
525'785
297'905 (56.66%)

Notes
Distribution of votes
Round no 1
Political group Candidates Votes % of votes
Distribution of seats
Round no 1
Political Group Total of seats
Distribution of seats according to sex
Men

Women

Percent of women
84

1

1.18%
Distribution of seats according to age
Distribution of seats according to profession
Comments
Distribution of seats according to political group: Not applicable. There are no political parties in Oman.

Source: http://www.omannews.gov.om/ona_en/

This page was last updated on 5 June 2018
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