Qataris feel proud as they go to the polls

Qatari voters yesterday expressed immense pride in exercising their franchise for the municipal elections and maintained they wanted to make sure their voices are heard. This year’s Central Municipal Council (CMC) elections, held yesterday across the country for 29 seats, were the fourth such exercise after the first elections were held in 1999 for a four-year term.

Voting at the Constituency 1 (Al Jasra), which covers the entire heart of Doha, 35-year-old Hamad said he was feeling proud as a citizen.

“It’s the first time for me, as I was in the US last time CMC elections were held. The person I voted for looked extremely motivated to me,” Hamad told Gulf Times.

Yesterday’s CMC elections were the largest by far in the country, in that a total of 32,622 voters registered, up from 28,153 in 2007.

“I felt obliged to vote if I wanted to participate in the progress of Qatar. We do need roads and infrastructure to be improved,” Hamad added, after casting his vote.

According to him, the electoral process has evolved since the previous editions with candidates engaging in organised media campaigns as well as visiting families door-to-door for months.

“We were able to voice our concerns to them (competing candidates) when they came to our houses,” he said.

While each of the 29 constituencies saw voting from 8am to 5pm, the support staff, including the police were at the polling stations from 7.30am .

Khalifa al-Musalmani, a judge overseeing the electoral process at the Constituency 7 (Al Salata) told Gulf Times that the response by voters had been positive.

“The political culture of the masses has changed. People really are thinking they can bring about a change. It was heartening to know that women, especially senior women, are coming to vote as well,” al-Musalmani said.

Of the total 101 candidates, four were women.

A Qatari woman, 35-year-old Nour from Al Mansoura area said voting was her national duty.

“This would be my first time ever voting for anything. The process is for our own good. I know the person I am voting for is competent,” Nour said.

Most voters Gulf Times spoke to said the important thing for them in a candidate was his or her willingness to get things done for the area they represent.

Almost everyone pointed out roads in Qatar as their number one concern.

“Services such as roads, social utilities, education, government complexes are our priorities,” Abdullah al-Khulaifi, a 32-year-old Qatari army personnel said.

“I can’t vote because I am in the army, but the candidate is a friend of mine and I know he will do well in raising our issues at the CMC if elected,” al-Khulaifi added.

Despite it being a full work-day, a large number of voters had turned up, according to officials.

The judge at Al Jasra polling station said Qataris were showing more interest than ever.

“I participated as an observer in the 2007 elections and can say that the turnout has been good, when you consider that it is a work day for most. Most people came early in the morning before heading to work or after Zuhr (noon) prayers,” he said.

Photocaption: Women form a long queue at a polling booth