Oman in low-key vote for council with limited power

Omanis go to the polls Sunday in a low-key vote for a consultative council with limited powers in a country where the longtime ruling sultan holds all major government posts.

Sultan Qaboos slightly expanded the powers of the Majlis al-Shura in 2011 after unprecedented social unrest when the normally-quiet nation became caught up in protests which swept the Arab world.

Yet, the number of candidates standing for election has almost halved from the last ballot four years ago, reflecting disappointment at the council's ability to capitalise on its added authority.

"The outgoing majlis wasn't able to take advantage of its new powers because of the hegemony of the government on political life," said Omani analyst Ahmed Ali al-Mukhaini.

The council failed to question any minister or subject a government member to a vote of confidence, and it did not propose any laws in accordance with its new powers, Mukhaini said.

This "deceived the hopes of the population who, disenchanted, aren't interested in the vote", a Muscat-based diplomat told AFP.

Demonstrators in February 2011 demanded improved living conditions and more rights as well as the sacking of ministers they accused of corruption.

Two protesters were shot dead in clashes with security forces.

The discontent was not directed at the sultan personally, who is head of state, prime minister, foreign, defence, interior and finance minister.

When Qaboos took power, Oman was an isolated country with little or no infrastructure. He transformed it into a modern state over the course of his 45-year rule.

As part of a series of measures responding to the unrest, Qaboos decreed that the majlis would be able to revise and propose legislation.

- Uncertainty over successor -

In late 2011, the majlis elected its speaker for the first time and assumed the power to grill ministers.

The majlis was created in 1991 and has a four-year term. It has no role in defence, internal security or foreign affairs.

A drab election campaign has failed to inspire potential voters in the country of 4.1 million, of which 44 percent are foreigners.

Candidates plastered the streets with their portraits and focused on socio-economic issues in the stable nation bordering war-ravaged Yemen.

The sultanate derives 79 percent of its revenues from petroleum, but with global prices down by roughly half since early 2014 it has projected a budget deficit this year of $6.47 billion.

That represents about eight percent of gross domestic product.

Besides Oman, Kuwait and Bahrain are the only Arab states in the Gulf with parliaments elected by universal suffrage, but all three forbid political parties.

Oman, located on the Arabian Sea, has good ties with its Sunni neighbours as well as with their Shiite regional rival Iran.

Western nations have repeatedly turned to Muscat to act as a mediator in resolving delicate issues, from the kidnapping of Americans and Europeans to the Iran nuclear deal concluded last July.

On Sunday, about 612,000 people are eligible to vote at 107 polling stations in 61 districts.

From 596 candidates, including 20 women, a fall of three quarters from the last council polls, they will choose 85 members of the Majlis al-Shura, the election commission said.

This year's poll comes at a time of uncertainty over a successor to the unmarried Qaboos who, according to a diplomatic source in Muscat, suffers from colon cancer.

The sultan has not been seen in public since he flew home in March after more than eight months in Germany for medical treatment.

State television reported the treatment was completely successful but a diplomat said Qaboos has returned at least twice to Germany.

Qaboos, 74, has no children or brothers.

Four years ago, he amended the succession process, designating five top officials to confirm the next sultan in case of any royal family dispute.

They would confirm the person nominated by Qaboos in a document to be kept sealed until his death.
Source: AFP