MUSCAT: Candidates in the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI) elections may put up a maximum of 15 campaign billboards each and are barred from offering or promising gifts, donations or other benefits under rules announced by the chamber’s election committee.
The rules apply to elections for the chamber and its branch boards for the 2026–2030 term. Campaigning may begin once the final candidate lists are announced and must stop on the day before voting. Any campaigning after the prescribed period constitutes a violation.
Candidates may display billboards only within the area of the branch whose board they are contesting. Authorities may remove campaign material that violates the rules without prior warning and charge the candidate for its removal. Campaigning is prohibited in government buildings and their grounds, on the premises of other public bodies and in places of worship. Campaign material may also not be displayed on vehicles.
Campaign content is limited to the candidate’s photograph, full name and address, biography, verified academic and professional qualifications, and proposals for serving the business community within the chamber’s legal mandate.
The rules prohibit the use of the national flag, the state emblem, the election logo and logos of government bodies or other public entities. Campaign material must also exclude religious, historical or tribal symbols and the names or images of public figures. Candidates are barred from misleading voters, defaming rivals or using material that disrupts public order.
Candidates may campaign through text messages, social media, websites, television and radio. They are responsible for the content of their advertisements across all channels.
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