Municipal elections in Qatar were held for the fifth time on 13 May 2015.[1] Five women contested the polls as candidates.[2] Two women were elected to the Central Municipal Council (CMC) after winning their constituencies, heralding the first time two women have occupied seats in the council.[3] This round of elections witnessed the merging of a number of depopulated constituencies and the addition of several new constituencies.[4]
Early indications suggested that the voter turnout would be low.[5][6] However, the voter turnout in various constituencies ranged from 51% to 87%,[7] with an overall voter turnout of 70%.[8] This was a marked increase from the 43% voter turnout in the 2011 elections.[9] The total number of voters was 21,735. There were 109 candidates.[7]
Background
According to government officials, 136 candidates signed up to run.[10] Twenty-five candidates withdrew from the elections before the onset of voting, including three candidates who withdrew on 12 May.[11] This resulted in the contention of three constituencies (1, 27, and 28) by single candidates who were declared winners by acclamation one day prior to ballots being cast. Constituency numbers 4, 9, 21, 22, 24 and 26 were contested by two candidates each. Conversely, constituency numbers 10, 11, 13, 18, 19 and 20 were vied for by six candidates apiece.[12]
Only 5 female candidates ran for election.[2] This invigorated discussion on the possible establishment of a quota for female candidates.[13]
Results
References
- ^ "Qatar Central Municipal Council Election 2015". Marhaba Qatar. 23 April 2015. Archived from the original on 18 May 2015. Retrieved 14 May 2015.
- ^ a b "Five women to contest Qatar municipal elections". al-Araby al-Jadeed. 16 April 2015. Retrieved 14 May 2015.
- ^ "Qataris elect two women for first time". Agence France-Presse. 14 May 2015. Archived from the original on 18 May 2015. Retrieved 14 May 2015.
- ^ "5th CMC polls to feature new constituencies". Qatar Tribune. Archived from the original on 18 May 2015. Retrieved 14 May 2015.
- ^ "PHOTOS: What a Qatari election looks like (updated)". Doha News. 13 May 2015. Retrieved 14 May 2015.
- ^ "Low turnout expected at CMC election today". The Peninsula Qatar. Retrieved 14 May 2015.
- ^ a b c "CMC Elections Results Announced". Qatar News Agency. 14 May 2015. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 14 May 2015.
- ^ "2 women win seats in Qatar municipal election". The Journal of Turkish Weekly. 14 May 2015. Retrieved 14 May 2015.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Qataris elect two women for first time". Al Arabiya. 14 May 2015. Retrieved 14 May 2015.
- ^ "118 vying for Qatar municipal council seats". Gulf News. 6 May 2015. Retrieved 15 May 2015.
- ^ "CMC polls today, 110 in race". Qatar Tribune. 13 May 2015. Archived from the original on 18 May 2015. Retrieved 15 May 2015.
- ^ "Fate of CMC candidates for 26 seats to be decided today". Qatar Tribune. 13 May 2015. Archived from the original on 18 May 2015. Retrieved 15 May 2015.
- ^ "Qatar holds rare vote amid calls for quotas for women". The National. 12 May 2015. Retrieved 15 May 2015.
- ^ "القائمة النهائية الكاملة للفائزين بانتخابات المجلس البلدي المركزي 2015". Al Watan. 14 May 2015. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 14 May 2015.
