Doha, July 30 (QNA) - Qatari newspapers issued today unanimously agreed that the Shura Council elections, as the first legislative elections in the State of Qatar, are an important transformation and a milestone in the country's political life, within the framework of the political leadership's efforts to promote democracy by expanding popular participation in the political process.

In their editorials, the Qatari newspapers noted the issuance of HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani of the Shura Council's Electoral System law, which comes from the wise leadership's belief in the great roles that the Council plays in serving the nation and achieving its higher interests.

Qatari newspapers stressed that this law is in line with the permanent constitution of the State of Qatar approved by the Qatari people, and with the Qatar National Vision 2030, which aims to expand the participation of the Qatari people in decision-making, and to exercise the legislative and oversight role over the executive authority.

The newspapers explained that it also confirms the wise leadership's determination to make the Shura Council a true representative of the will of citizens, by carrying out roles and competencies that are compatible with the requirements of its existence, as it assumes the authority of legislation, approves the state's general budget, and exercises control over the executive authority, as set out in the Constitution of the State of Qatar, such as proposing laws, expressing desires to the government in public matters, and exercising a supervisory role over the executive authority through monitoring the government.

In this context, Al-Raya newspaper said in its newspaper that HH the Amir's issuance of the Shura Council's Electoral System law came in line with the permanent constitution of the State of Qatar approved by the Qatari people, as well as in line with Qatar's National Vision 2030 aimed at expanding the participation of the Qatari people in decision-making, and exercising the legislative and oversight role over the executive authority, by selecting their representatives in the Shura Council.

Al-Raya stressed that the wise leadership has always been keen on consolidating the principle of popular participation in decision-making. With this law the circle of those who enjoy the right to vote has been expanded to include everyone who has acquired Qatari citizenship, provided that his grandfather is Qatari and was born in Qatar.

Al-Raya added, that the State of Qatar, under the directives of the wise leadership, is continuing its development path, investing in people, and consolidating the foundations of the state of institutions and the rule of law to advance the country so that it occupies a distinguished position in the ranks of developed countries, referring to some of the roles and competencies of the Council, which assumes the authority of legislation, and approves the states general budget, and exercises control over the executive authority, in the manner set forth in the constitution of the State of Qatar, such as proposing laws, expressing the governments desires in public matters and exercising the oversight role over the executive authority through monitoring the work of the government, summoning the prime minister, and interrogating ministers, based on the vision of the wise leadership that made Qatar a state of institutions that uphold the values of justice and integrity, and promote popular participation in decision-making.

The newspaper pointed out that the Shura Council's Electoral System law defines the conditions for the election, who is entitled to vote, and who is entitled to run for membership in the Shura Council. It also criminalized everything that could incite tribal or sectarian conflicts or any practice that leads to division in society or incitement against or attacking the competitor in a way that violates the law. The law also criminalizes the issue of foreign funding, and increases the penalty for anyone who is proven to be involved in receiving foreign funding because of its serious effects on legislative life.

For its part, Al-Sharq newspaper confirmed in its editorial that the State of Qatar will enter a new phase in its history next October, as the people are preparing to participate in the first legislative elections in the country, which are considered an important transformation and a milestone in the country's political life, as part of the endeavors of the political leadership to strengthen democracy by expanding popular participation in the political process.

The newspaper added that yesterday was a historic milestone in the country's march towards strengthening the traditions of the Qatari shura, developing the legislative process and allowing wide participation of citizens. It was a historic day the newspaper added, after HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani approved Law No. (6) of 2021 issuing the Shura Council's Electoral System law, and Law No. (7) of 2021 regarding the Shura Council, in addition to decree No. 37 of 2021 defining the electoral districts of the Shura Council and their respective regions.

Al-Sharq explained that this important historical phase came to culminate in a series of practical steps in implementation of His Highness' announcement, during the opening of the 49th ordinary session of the Shura Council, early last November, about holding the first elections for the Shura Council, in October 2021.

Al-Sharq added that the Shura Council's Electoral System law approved by HH the Amir came in line with Qatar Vision 2030 and the permanent constitution of the State of Qatar, which charted the path to the Shura Council elections, where the constitution was keen to ensure the participation of the people of the country in decision-making in light of fair elections, exercising their political rights and enhancing national belonging, considering participation in elections as a national duty and a constitutional entitlement. It requires the participation of all legally qualified citizens, as an affirmation of commitment to the democratic approach, which helps create political and social awareness that is gradually formed within society, and one of its future results is the rooting of democratic behavior to achieve political prosperity and sustainable development of society.

The newspaper noted the expansion of the circle of those who enjoy the right to vote, to include everyone who has acquired Qatari citizenship, provided that his grandfather is Qatari and born in the State of Qatar, as stipulated in Article 2, that he has the right to elect members of the Shura Council, anyone whose original nationality was Qatari, and who had completed 18 years of age, when the final lists of voters were announced, and anyone who had acquired Qatari nationality, provided that his grandfather was Qatari, and born in the State of Qatar. He also has the right to elect members of the Shura Council, who are affiliated with all military authorities, including the military and civil workers working in those bodies, who meet the stipulated conditions.

Al-Sharq stressed that the country is preparing to enter a new stage, during which the council will move from the stage of establishment in the field of shura approach, evaluation and gradual development, to the stage of broader popular participation under the wise leadership of the state, after previous experience paved the way for the transition to the elected Shura Council, which in accordance with the Constitution and the law, it has very important roles, tasks and competencies.

Al-Sharq explained that the Shura Council assumes these competencies and powers in line with the permanent constitution of the State of Qatar, which stipulates that the Council assumes the authority to legislate, approve the states general budget, and exercise control over the executive authority, as well as expressing the governments desires in public matters, and directing questions to the Prime Minister , and to a minister to clarify matters within their terms of reference and also to interrogate ministers in matters within their competence.

In its editorial, the newspaper touched on the great role and responsibility that the Shura Council plays, and the confidence in national elections based on competence and experience, noting in this regard that the law sets six conditions for anyone who nominates for membership in the Shura Council in accordance with Article 10. It also touched on the many controls set by the Shura Council's Electoral System law, which would ensure equality between candidates and achieve justice during the electoral process. 

For its part, Lusail newspaper stressed, in its editorial that a new chapter of popular participation in the legislative process in the State of Qatar saw the light, after HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, issued the law No. (6) of 2021 promulgating the Shura Council's Electoral System law, a law that derives its articles and chapters from the Constitution, which was approved by voting by the Qatari people.

The newspaper stressed that the new law was in line with the Qatari constitution and Qatar National Vision 2030, which aims to enhance the participation of citizens in the decision-making process, and achieve the will of Qatari citizens. The right to vote will include everyone who has acquired Qatari citizenship, provided that his grandfather is Qatari and born in the State of Qatar.

Lusail newspaper stressed that the provisions of the Shura Council's Electoral System law were drafted with great skill, as they meticulously defined all the details of the electoral process, whether in terms of candidates or voters, as well as for electoral districts. Drafting laws and decrees was not prepared in a hurry, but rather there was slow down and study of all aspects, so that the experience of the Qatari Shura Council emerges as a model for the countries of the region.

The newspaper said that the preparations for the Shura Council elections have reached their conclusion, and the elections will be held next October, according to the constitution that was referendum on it in 2003 and issued in 2004. Thus, the state takes an important step in strengthening the Qatari Shura traditions, and developing the legislative process with a broader participation of citizens.

Lusail newspaper pointed out that the elections are not a criterion for the Qatari national identity. The identity of Qatar has crystallized over time, and it appears in its best forms in the solidarity and cohesion of the society, its tolerant moral values, and its love for the homeland, as it appeared in huge and great challenges, during the past few years.

For its part, Al-Watan newspaper, in its editorial entitled "Enhancing Citizen Participation", stressed that the Shura Council's Electoral System law confirms the determination of the wise leadership in the State of Qatar that the Shura Council be a true representative of the citizens' will.

In this regard, the newspaper noted the issuance of HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, Decree No. (37) of 2021 defining the electoral districts of the Shura Council and their respective regions, Law No. (7) of 2021 regarding the Shura Council, and Law No. (6) of 2021 issuing the Shura Council's Electoral System law.

Al-Watan pointed out that the Shura Council's Electoral System law was in line with the Qatari constitution and Qatar National Vision 2030, which aims to enhance the participation of citizens in the decision-making process, through the councils role and competencies in line with the requirements of its existence. The council exercises oversight mission over the executive authority, in the manner set forth in the constitution of the State of Qatar, such as proposing laws, expressing desires to the government in public matters, and exercising the oversight role over the executive authority through government oversight.

The newspaper said: "With the elections approaching, we are fully confident that they will be held on the basis of competence and experience. The goal behind this council is to faithfully express the will and aspirations of the citizens, and everyone who will run for these elections is fully aware that the national duty comes to the fore. And everyone who will run for election also realizes that one of his most important duties is to choose the one who is able to serve his country and people."

To conclude its editorial, Al-Watan stressed that the Shura Council elections will take place in accordance with the highest standards of integrity and transparency. (QNA)