Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
04MUSCAT2222
2004-12-21 05:04:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Muscat
Cable title:  

OMAN: IFES ELECTIONS ASSESSMENT

Tags:  PGOV KMPI KDEM SOCI MU 
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This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 MUSCAT 002222 

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

DEPT FOR NEA/ARPI, NEA/PI, NEA/PPD

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV KMPI KDEM SOCI MU
SUBJECT: OMAN: IFES ELECTIONS ASSESSMENT

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 MUSCAT 002222

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

DEPT FOR NEA/ARPI, NEA/PI, NEA/PPD

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV KMPI KDEM SOCI MU
SUBJECT: OMAN: IFES ELECTIONS ASSESSMENT


1. (U) SUMMARY: Under the sponsorship of the Middle East
Partnership Initiative (MEPI),the International Foundation
for Electoral Systems (IFES) recently concluded an assessment
visit to the Sultanate. The team identified several key
areas for potential electoral assistance, including a need
for increased public awareness of both the electoral process
and the role of the Majlis al-Shura (Consultative Council.)
END SUMMARY.

-------------- --------------
Meetings with Election Commission, Parliamentarians
-------------- --------------


2. (U) On December 14, a MEPI-sponsored IFES team arrived in
Oman to conduct a technical assessment of the electoral
process in the Sultanate. Through a week-long series of
governmental, legal, and private-sector meetings, Dr. Paul
Harris, Ms. Aileen Hanel and Dr. John Duke Anthony elicited
the opinions of election organizers and participants while
tentatively identifying potential areas for strengthening.
The team met with senior members of the government's election
commission, with elected Majlis al-Shura (Consultative
Council) and appointed Majlis al-Dawla (State Council)
deputies, as well as academicians, legal consultants, and
journalists.


3. (SBU) As part of their country assessment, the team
provided a debrief to the Embassy MEPI team prior to
departure. While preliminary, the IFES team identified
several areas where technical assistance could help to
strengthen the electoral process in Oman.

--------------
Public Education
--------------


4. (SBU) The IFES team members concluded that educating the
public on the election process and the role of the
Consultative Council should be a strategic component in
election preparations for 2007. (Note: One Majlis deputy
told the delegation that Oman might seek to institute
municipal elections before the next Shura elections in 2007.
End note.) The team suggested developing a civic education
curriculum with the Education Ministry as well as promoting
greater youth interaction, including children's visits to the
Majlis al-Shura and having Majlis members speak at schools in
their districts. IFES noted, however, that the Education
Ministry resisted playing a role in the 2003 elections.

--------------
Voter and Candidate Apathy
--------------


5. (SBU) The public's widespread apathy towards the Majlis
al-Shura and the elections pose considerable challenges to
both candidates and the electoral process. The assessment
team found that citizens are generally unaware of who the
candidates are, what the Majlis does, and why voting would be
important. Moreover, several interlocutors commented that
some elected candidates lack basic qualifications, including
a completed secondary-level education. The IFES team also
found that as a result of the low pay and lack of job
security, potential qualified candidates were disinclined to
run for office.

--------------
"Campaign" Strengthening
--------------


6. (SBU) IFES identified strict limitations on campaign
activity as being one of most substantial obstacles in the
electoral process in Oman. It contributes immensely to the
public's lack of awareness, the election of unqualified
candidates, and general voter apathy.


7. (U) The IFES team concluded that they had a productive
week with enriching meetings. They were pleased with the
responsiveness of the Omani government to their questions,
and with the candor of other interlocutors. The team said
that they intend to provide a summary of their assessment to
the Embassy and the MEPI team by the end of March 2005.

--------------
COMMENT
--------------


8. (SBU) This visit constituted IFES' second attempt at
seeking to build a dialogue with the Omani government on
election issues, and appears to have made a more favorable
first impression than 2003's effort. While it is premature
to judge the feasibility of actual technical assistance
programs, complicated by the disbandment of Oman's electoral
commission, a patient and measured approach should make a
substantial contribution to overcoming the government's
skepticism about foreign involvement in this sensitive area.
BALTIMORE