CMC elections campaigning starts

Many of the candidates for the June 22 Central Municipal Council (CMC) elections have launched their campaigns.
They are putting up boards with their photo, campaign motto and constituency number on pavements across major roads across the country, abiding by the rules and regulations set by the entities concerned.
The final list of candidates announced recently by the Ministry of Interior (MoI) comprises 110, including four women, competing for 29 seats.
One candidate has already won constituency 27 uncontested.
Speaking to local Arabic daily Arrayah, the four women candidates for the upcoming CMC elections stressed that their expertise and experiences in related fields will benefit the council and help improve its performance.
They pointed out that Qatari women have proven to be highly qualified and equipped to occupy the highest positions efficiently, and play an active role in the development of the country and the society.
Rawda Omran al-Qubaisi, a candidate for constituency 15, said that voters should be careful to select the suitable candidate based on his or her ability to serve the people and the country, with every voter feeling great responsibility to review the campaign programmes of the candidates.
She pointed out that she has substantial experience from having held a number of leading positions, making her a qualified candidate for the CMC, in addition to her higher academic degrees.
Al-Qubaisi said her aim is to develop the functioning and performance of the council while involving the people of her constituency in the process.
Asmaa al-Badr, candidate for constituency 10, said that she hoped that the number of women candidates would have been more due to the key role of Qatari women in public life.
She said her campaign would mainly focus on supporting women and children and maintaining family stability, in addition to promoting special programmes for young people to enhance their skills.
There is also a special focus on the rights of the people with special needs and further integrating them within the society.
Fatima al-Ghzal, candidate for constituency three, observed that the representation of Qatari women at the previous CMC was not equal to their achievements in the society, and said more efforts are needed to enable women to win the votes of both women and men.
Her campaign programme focuses on developing municipal services and involving voters more in the democratic process of decision making regarding the local affairs, taking their suggestions and ideas into consideration.
Khadija al-Buhlyqa, candidate for constituency nine, stressed the importance of women's presence in the CMC as they have played a key and active role in the progress of the country in many fields.
She claims extensive experience in various related fields and having held a number of leading positions throughout her career.
Al-Buhlyqa has been living in her constituency for a long time and knows well the needs of the area and the best ways to further utilise its potentials for the benefit of the inhabitants.