Foreign media representatives who were in the Sultanate of Oman to cover the tenth term of the Majlis Ash’shura election hailed the process as a milestone for others to replicate.
Speaking to the Observer, Timothy Constantine of the Washington Times said such a process in an Arab country is laudable and a significant step towards people’s participation in national decision-making.
“The election process to Oman’s Majlis Ash’shura is laudable as it tries to delve into people’s choice, ensuring the equal participation of both male and female members of the society. This is a true role model for many countries in the region and elsewhere,” he said.
The election evoked an excellent response, with an increasing percentage of people turning out to cast their votes.
“Oman is a highly innovative country in terms of experimenting with technology in elections, and we are keen to learn from the experience. I hope we can replicate the Oman experience back in Tanzania,” Abdullah Adnan Musaya of Daily News from Tanzania said.
Hocine Abes, Senior News Producer, EBU (European Broadcasting Union) in Geneva, feels the election process has been impressive for the flawless coordination and transparency.
“I have visited many elections around the world, and I find Oman’s electoral process impressive for its flawless coordination and transparent voting and post-voting procedures,” said Abes, Senior News Producer at EBU, which represents more than 70 television channels and over 2,000 radio stations around the world.
Dr Fayez al Jboor, Chief Editor of Jordan News Agency, opined that the current method of election is an easier way to elect the people’s representatives and is an experimental technique that proved successful in the region.
“Electronic operations of the electoral process is a groundbreaking technology in this part of the world, and Oman has proved to be successful in implementing the people’s choice effectively,” said Al Jboor.
Reem Al Miqbali, TV Presenter, Abu Dhabi TV, was happy to be in Oman to cover the elections. The country, however, has been her holiday spot for many times.
“It’s nice to be a part of the Omani elections, and I feel so special because Oman has proved to be successful in using new technology to elect the candidates in a rather easier way. Reaching 50 per cent of the registered voters in the half-time of the electoral process is yet another milestone,” Reem, who was in Oman with her crew, said, adding, “We can learn from the Omani experience the way the election is conducted and to improve the way of reaching out to the people which is a successful initiative.”
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