Sixth CMC elections see 50% voter turnout

The sixth edition of the Central Municipal Council (CMC) election, held on Tuesday, saw 13,334 voters or 50.1% of a total 26,640 Qatari voters taking part to elect representatives in 25 constituencies.

While 6,951 males cast their votes, 6,383 female voters exercised their franchise. Representatives from four constituencies were elected uncontested.

“The electoral process was conducted in an honourable and distinct manner since the first hours of opening,” said Maj Gen Majid Ibrahim al-Khulaifi, director of Elections Department under the Ministry of Interior and head of the CMC Electoral Committee.

The polling was held between 8am to 5pm. There were a total of 85 candidates, including five women.

In a statement to the media, Director General of Public Security Staff Maj Gen Saad bin Jassim al-Khulaifi appreciated the keenness of the voters and said that the Ministry of Interior provided all kinds of support for the successful conduct of a transparent election.

Director of Planning and Quality Department, and member of the Supervisory Committee Brigadier Abdul Rahman Majid al-Sulaiti confirmed that the voting process was in accordance with the arrangements prepared by the Supervisory Committee.

On his part, Brigadier Salem Saqr al-Marikhi, director of the Legal Affairs Department at the Ministry of Interior and deputy chairman of the Supervisory Committee on Elections, confirmed that the election day was concluded in the best way.

Brisk polling was reported from most of the booths. According to preliminary data, 15 of the 25 constituencies where elections were held recorded more than 50% of polling. They are : Markhiyya (56.2%), South Duhail ( 53.7), Bin Omran (62.9), Thumama (53.1), Musaimeer and Abu Hamour (71.7), Muaither (53.5), New Rayyan (60.5), Bani Hajer (55), Khuraithiyath – Ezghawa (50.3), Al Sakhama (58.7), Al Karaana - Salwa Road (72.8), Al Shahhaniyya (51), Al Jumailiya (58.4), Al Khor (56.5), Al Zakheera (73.8) and Shamal (70.6) . With 73.8%, Al Zakheera topped the list .

Out of the registered 520 voters, 484 cast their ballots at Al Zakheera.

Umm Slal Mohamed recorded the lowest voter turnout at 14.4 %. It was followed by Azeeziyya that saw 22.1% of the voters casting their ballots.

Of the total 26,640 voters, 13334 exercised their franchise. This included 6,951 male voters and 6,383 female voters.

In this election, 85 candidates, including five women, contested in 25 constituencies out of 29 constituencies. Four districts -Mujthaza, Rawdath Rashid-Al Jamila, Al Kaaban and Ghuwairiyya -were won uncontested.