Live blog: Shura Council elections - the latest updates - Doha News

Doha News Special Coverage: Qatar holds its first-ever legislative election to vote in members of the Shura Council.

Head over to our Twitter to keep up to date with all things related to the Shura Council elections, with live footage and exclusive interviews from various districts across the country.

Hundreds of eligible voters have rushed to the polling stations early on Saturday to cast their vote for the country’s long-awaited Shura Council elections.

Long lines of voters were seen at 8am, with hundreds eagerly awaiting to tick their ballot papers at polling stations across the nation, marking a major milestone for the Gulf state.

Voters have told Doha News that the elections have given Qatari citizens a strong means of representation and a more active role in ensuring the growth and advancement of the nation’s society.

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Preliminary results have emerged by local media outlets, however, an official announcement by authorities has yet to be finalised.

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The voting for the first-ever Shura Council elections has ended. All polling stations across the country have started counting the votes.

The names of the 30 council members elected are expected to be announced at 8pm on Saturday.

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Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani casts his vote at district 15, Al Wakra.

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President of the Supreme Judicial Council and President of the Court of Cassation Dr. Hassan bin Lahdan Al-Mohannadi visits a number of electoral committee headquarters, headed by the judges, to see the work progress.

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Msheireb district reports a 57% voter turnout so far, according to statistics by Qatar TV, making it the district with the highest voter turnout in the country.

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Dr. Hanan Al Kuwari, Qatar’s Minister of Public Health, was seen casting her vote in the Shura Council at district 22.

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Prime Minister and former Minister of Interior Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser Al Thani casts his vote in the Shura Council elections at district 7.

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Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jaber Al Thani casts his vote in the Shura Council elections at district 4, Mirqab.

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Head of the Amiri Court Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman Al Thani votes for the Shura Council election at district 18.

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Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defence Affairs Khalid bin Mohammad Al Attiyah is seen casting his vote for Shura Council election at district 18.

سعادة الدكتور خالد بن محمد العطية نائب رئيس مجلس الوزراء وزير الدولة لشؤون الدفاع يدلي بصوته في الدائرة 18#مرسال_قطر pic.twitter.com/k05czi6tmF

— مرسال قطر (@Marsalqatar) October 2, 2021

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Voter in district 1 says:

“This is a historic event for every Qatari. Of course, everyone was looking forward to this event and alhamdulilah [praise be to God], the long-awaited day has arrived.

While this is a new thing to Qatar, it is not so new to us, what’s important is that things go well, and alhamdulilah [praise be to God] from what we have heard, the elections at all districts are smooth and transparent from all aspects.

Of course, you have to elect the right person, the person fit for the right position and we are here to elect the person that will benefit the entire Qatari society.”

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A voter from district 17 says the move to hold the vote signals major developments for Qatar.

“I am here to vote and it brings me joy to do so considering it is the first [legislative] elections for the State of Qatar and we thank the amir for this positive initiative for Qatari nationals. I find great joy in the elections and I know that my country is moving from one development to another, from the better to the best,” she said.

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In an interview on state-run Qatar TV, Sheikh Abdullah Al Sada, a member of the Supreme Committee of the Association of Muslim Scholars said: “Every citizen has the right to vote in elections, and if the voter votes with the intention of benefiting their country, the citizen will be rewarded [from God].”

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Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz Al Thani is seen casting his vote for Shura Council election at district 12.

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Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz Al Thani inspects the headquarters of the Election Subcommittee as voters take part in the 2 October election.

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Eligible voters are casting their votes across all districts in the country.

“For me, participating in the Shura Council election by voting is important. We need to have civic participation within the Shura Council elections. There needs to be the voice of the people within the council as well,” said Malika Mohammed Al Shraim, Manager of new media at Katara, after she voting.

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It is an early start and the people of Qatar are out to vote. Click here to see people exercising their civic participation.

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All polling stations across Qatar have opened their doors to Qataris participating in the country’s long-awaited Shura Council elections on Saturday.

Eligible Qatari citizens will continue to vote at a total of 30 districts until 6pm tonight when polling stations close. Only one candidate can be chosen by each voter.