INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Qatar held a significant referendum on Tuesday, marking a potential turning point in its legislative structure
had the opportunity to cast their ballots on a constitutional amendment
representation began in 2021, just a year before hosting the FIFA World Cup
The country held its first elections for 30 of the 45 seats in the Shura Council
However, this electoral process was not without controversy.The 2021 elections highlighted societal divisions within Qatar
Only a select group of Qataris were eligible to vote or run for office
The current referendum, the first in over two decades, coincides with the U.S
presidential elections.Qatari Referendum Signals Potential Shift in Legislative Landscape
appoint all members of the Shura Council
If approved, all Qatari citizens, including naturalized ones, could hold ministerial positions
Previously, this right was reserved for native-born Qataris.The 2021 elections exposed societal fractures in Qatar
Certain groups were excluded from the process, and voting rights were limited to descendants of Qataris from 1930
to come.In short, the world watches as this small but influential Gulf state considers a significant change to its governance model.
