Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07DOHA368
2007-04-05 14:32:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Doha
Cable title:  

QATAR CENTRAL MUNICIPAL COUNCIL ELECTIONS SEE

Tags:  PGOV KDEM KMPI PREL QA 
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sdohasntsc 05/17/2007 07:46:40 AM From DB/Inbox: APR07 Archive

Cable 
Text: 
 
 
UNCLAS DOHA 00368

SIPDIS
CXDOHA:
 ACTION: P/E
 INFO: DAO PAO RAO DCM FCS AMB

DISSEMINATION: P/E /2
CHARGE: PROG

APPROVED: AMB:CGUNTERMEYER
DRAFTED: P/E:TFINGARSON
CLEARED: P/E:APYOTT, A/DCM:MNANTONGO

VZCZCDOI461
RR RUEHC RUEHZM
DE RUEHDO #0368/01 0951432
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 051432Z APR 07
FM AMEMBASSY DOHA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 6464
INFO RUEHZM/GULF COOPERATION COUNCIL COLLECTIVE
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 DOHA 000368 

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV KDEM KMPI PREL QA
SUBJECT: QATAR CENTRAL MUNICIPAL COUNCIL ELECTIONS SEE
NEARLY 50 PERCENT TURNOUT

REF: A. DOHA 340

B. DOHA 327

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 DOHA 000368

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV KDEM KMPI PREL QA
SUBJECT: QATAR CENTRAL MUNICIPAL COUNCIL ELECTIONS SEE
NEARLY 50 PERCENT TURNOUT

REF: A. DOHA 340

B. DOHA 327


1. Summary. Qatar held national elections for the third
session of the Central Municipal Council (CMC) April 1. The
turnout (nearly 50 percent) was higher than many predicted.
One of three women running for the council was re-elected in
a landslide. Voting ran smoothly without significant
problems. In contrast to previous elections, affinity to
familial and tribal ties appeared to count less than
experience and ability. Women's direct participation
increased, and their influence on the choices of other
members of the family was noted by the candidates. End
Summary.

--------------
Turnout
--------------


2. Elections for the third session of the Qatar Central
Municipal Council (CMC) on April 1 saw a notable increase in
voter turnout compared to the last elections held in April

2003. According to figures released by the Ministry of
Interior (MOI),51 percent of the registered voters cast
their ballots as compared to the 40 percent who voted in the
2003 election. Of 28,139 registered voters, 13,656 exercised
their franchise - 7,295 men and 6,361 women. The total number
of male registered voters was 14,531, while there were 13,608
registered female voters. (Note: According to the total voter
breakdown provided by the MOI, the actual turnout was 48.5
percent vice 51.1 percent. Post will attempt to clarify the
discrepancy between these two figures.) Women's participation
in the elections increased significantly compared to prior
elections. Their relative participation was higher than men
in nine of the 29 districts.


3. Cities and villages outside Doha recorded a higher voter
turnout compared to several prominent constituencies inside
the city. Of the 29 constituencies, Al-Shahaniya recorded the
highest voter participation (more than 80 percent),closely
followed by Al-Shamal. In contrast, less than 40 percent of
the registered voters in the New Doha district voted.

--------------
Female Candidate Wins in Landslide
--------------


4. Sheikha Al-Jefairi, the only female CMC member, received
the highest percentage of votes for any candidate. Of the 879
votes cast in her district, she received 800 of them, while
the remaining 79 were shared by two male candidates. There

were a total of 1,451 registered voters in the constituency -
740 women and 711 men. Sheikha Al-Jefairi told Poloff April 3
that she won because of her achievements and dedication in
the previous session of the CMC. She added that her victory
is a fitting response to those who questioned her eligibility
when she won her seat in the second CMC election by
"recommendation." (Note: A male member of Sheikha
Al-Jefairi's family dropped out of the race shortly before
the 2003 election, leaving her unopposed for the seat.)


5. In a meeting with U.S. Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney
(D-NY) April 3, Sheikha Al-Jefairi exuded confidence and
noted that she had predicted her election victory in advance.
She noted that she would fulfill her electoral program and
provide her constituents with better healthcare and
educational facilities by establishing a health care center
and by increasing the number of schools in the area. "I will
also seek to find a solution to the recurring traffic snarl
in the area and ensure high standards of road safety," she
added. Congresswoman Maloney was present in Qatar during the
first CMC elections in 1999 and noted, "It seems that some
sort of change is happening. I think Al-Jefairi's win is a
step forward in the direction of women's empowerment in
Qatar." When asked if she planned to run for the national
Advisory Council, the elections for which are expected
sometime next year, Al-Jefairi was non-committal. She said
she preferred to be a member of the CMC and added, "I do not
consider running for the proposed elections, at least for
now."

--------------
The Losers
--------------


6. The situation was different for female candidate Suhaila
Al-Hareb. Suhaila was seeking election in the Al-Jasrah
district which witnessed the lowest voter turnout (28
percent). She lost the election, receiving only 50 votes
compared to 180 votes for her male rival. Al-Hareb told
Poloff April 3 that friendship and personal relations were
the primary motivating factors for voters in her district.
She also accused the MOI Election Supervising Committee (ESC)
of not being neutral by allowing family members of the male
candidate to be present at the polling station and to
influence voters before casting their votes. Rather than
officially contesting the vote, Suhaila plans to publicize
her opinions in the local press.


7. Dr. Amina Al-Heil, the third female candidate, remains
undaunted. During a reception for the election winners April
3, she announced her decision to run in the upcoming
parliamentary elections, "I will not give up. I will contest
the upcoming parliamentary election. I also plan to contest
the next CMC elections."


8. Pol Assistant contacted two of the five incumbent
candidates on April 4 who lost their races. Issa Al-Kuwari,
Deputy Chairman of the current CMC, ran against two other
candidates and lost. Explaining his defeat, he told Emboff,
"People wanted a change, that's all." Nassir Suleiman
Al-Dosari ran against one other candidate (Mubarak Farish
Mubark Saleh Salem) in the Doha suburb of Gharaffa. He told
us that the winner used his position in sewage affairs at the
Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Agriculture to his
advantage. Al-Gharaffa has no sewage system and relies
completely on tankers provided by the municipality. "Because
of his position, he has access to the contact information for
all voters in the district. He was able to reach the women
inside their homes and got their promises to vote for him,"
Al-Dosari noted. He added that, "Women have a strong
influence over their family members; as such the women voters
affected the result significantly." He blamed the voters for
the lack of awareness. "They based their votes on promises
given to whoever could reach them first rather than their
capabilities or achievements," he added. Given that many
people don't read newspapers in Qatar, he blamed Qatar TV for
its weak coverage of the election campaign. He believes that
TV is the most important tool that can be used to raise
awareness among the voters. Citing an example, he noted,
"People did not know that they have to register their names
at least two weeks before the election. A lot of them were
sent away on voting day because their names were not
registered."

--------------
The Polls
--------------


9. Polling started at 8am and closed at 5pm, at which time
the ballot boxes were sealed. One public school in each
district was used as a polling station. Ministers, the
Advisory Council Spokesman, and other high-ranking officials
were noted casting their votes in their respective districts.
The President of Courts and the Minister of Interior toured
the polling stations to witness the process. The Qatar
National Human Rights Committee formed four committees to
survey the 29 polling stations in order to ensure
transparency and to confirm that the rights of voters and
candidates were guaranteed. Qatar TV and Radio and local
newspapers covered the election. The counting started
immediately after closure, and results were announced the
same evening.


10. Speaking to the media April 1, Major Salim Saqr
Al-Miraikhi, head of the legal section of the ESC, said the
polling ran smoothly in all constituencies, despite some
minor violations of electoral rules. According to
Al-Miraikhi, one voter came to one of the polling stations
wearing a t-shirt displaying the picture of a particular
candidate, which was illegal. He was ordered to leave the
area.


11. Emboffs visited five polling stations during the voting.
According to observations, the turnout was generally low
early and picked up gradually by midday. Women's
participation was noticeable. Since CMC election regulations
require the personal presence of each voter, aged and
handicapped people with wheelchairs were seen participating
in the process. Women's polling places were separated from
those for men. Male and female security personnel were
deployed in all constituencies and were assisted by
volunteers of both genders to guide and help voters. Voters
had to show their identification and voting cards in order to
be allowed directly to the polling counter. Those who had
registered but didn't have their voting cards with them were
given one on the spot. Voting procedures were explained
patiently to voters when required.


12. Some voters felt that the election was an important step
towards achieving a democratic system in Qatar. Ali Moosa
Eisa, a voter from the Old Airport district, told a local
newspaper, "Gone are the days when people voted for members
of their family or tribe. Now the voters are more critical
and they are looking at the qualifications of the candidate
and whether they are capable of doing some good job in their
constituency."

--------------
Comment
--------------


13. Given the perceived apathy by voters and even some of the
candidates prior to the election, the turnout was much higher
than expected. The voting process appeared very orderly and
well supervised. Candidates and voters have learned much
through the three elections. The role of women in elections,
not only as candidates or voters, but as a powerful influence
in the home, has been realized by some of the population. It
appears as if this incremental step in democratization may
lead to a more participative role of citizens in the
governing of their country.
UNTERMEYER