Qatar local elections 2015,

what is at stake?

Besides the few campaign signs in the streets of Doha, there is nothing that indicates the forthcoming fifth local elections in Qatar. The Qataris are barely talking about it and the event does not trigger any heated political debate. At first sight, Qatar’s poll does not seem very striking.

One would think that in a country considered by many analysts and human rights organisations as undemocratic, authoritarian and illiberal, the organisation of local elections, the country’s one and only poll, may appear to be a rather cynical political masquerade.

However, as Qatar’s past local elections have always been considered by observers as fair and free, it is obviously much more than just a political gadget. It is in fact an important political event for the country, giving  an overview of the domestic political culture.

Qatar, like many mature democratic countries, suffers from a growing lack of interest of its citizens in the election process. Indeed, while more candidates are campaigning than in the previous election, there are less registered voters and a mediocre turnout is expected.

   Doha news

   AP Photo/Osama Faisal

After only four local elections in its entire history, Qatar seems to be already failing to round up its citizens to be involved in domestic policies. Only 21,736 Qataris registered to vote this year, an all-time low since the first elections in 1999. It is also far lesser than the 32,662 registered voters in 2011.

There are 118 candidates in total, including five women, running for 29 seats at the Central Municipal Council. This number is slightly higher than four years ago. Three candidates have already won their seats, as they are the only ones running for election in their respective constituencies.

As for the turnout, it should be relatively intermediary considering the previous elections. In 2011, it reached 43.3% of the registered voters, 52.3% four years before and only 37.7% in 2003.

Retrospectively, Qataris were only truly passionate by the first municipal elections. Back in 1999, there were 227 candidates in total, nearly 22,000 registered voters and 79.7% of them performed their civic duty. This proportion has never been achieved since then.

Context, facts and figures

Amal Issa al-Mouhanadi is one of the five female candidates running in this election. She is aspiring to be a Central Municipal Council’s member for the second time after a failed attempt in 2011 where she finished in second position. Financially and morally supported by her family and her husband, she has been campaigning for a month now in the 17th constituency.

A small team of supporters is assisting her with the campaign, going door-to-door to distribute flyers and campaign kits. They also helped her in producing a campaign spot.

Financing an election campaign is very complicated as political parties are banned in Qatar. Candidates have to obtain the support of their tribe and their family or even to fork out from their own savings. This system excludes Qataris who are not wealthy enough to invest time and money in a political campaign.

Campaigning in Qatar

The Central Municipal Council has been established in the early 50s. Its members were not elected until the municipal elections that were held in 1999.

The Central Municipal Council members meet publicly once a fortnight in Doha with a quorum of two thirds of the local representatives. They are elected for a four-year renewable term to influence and advise the government.

Majlis al-Baladi is the official name of the Central Municipal Council. Its 29 members do not have legislative nor executive power. It is an independent institution that can only make recommendations to governmental bodies. Its prerogatives are the following and can be found on the governmental website:

1) Monitor the implementation of laws, decrees and regulations related to urban and industrial planning, infrastructure and other public systems.

2) Oversee the economic, financial and administrative management of municipal affairs and agriculture.

Central Municipal Council,

What's that?

   Al Araby/Anwar al-Khateeb

Credits

This web-reportage and its content have been produced by Marc Roussot.

Special thanks to Maryam Elchazly without whom I would not have been able to produce it.