Consultative Assembly (Oman) Explained

Consultative Assembly
Native Name:	مجلس الشورى
Transcription Name:	Majlis al-Shura
Coa Pic:	National emblem of Oman.svg
Coa Res:	110px
Foundation:	3 November 1981^[1] ^[2]
Term Limits:	4 years
Election1:	28 October 2011
Members:	90
Structure1 Res:	250px
Political Groups1:	Non-partisan (90)
Session Room:	Council of State of Oman.jpg
Session Res:	250px
Website:	http://www.shura.om

The Consultative Assembly (ar|مجلس الشورى; transcription: Majlis al-Shura) is the lower house of the Council of Oman. It is the only legislative body in Oman of which all members are democratically elected. The other chamber of the parliament is the Council of State (Majlis al-Dawla).

The assembly consists of 90 elected members. Each wilayah (province) in Oman is entitled to at least one representative in the assembly. Provinces with a population of 30,000 or above are represented by two members, while provinces with fewer than 30,000 inhabitants are represented by only one member. The winning candidates are the ones who obtain the higher number of votes according to the official election results. Oman does not allow political parties; thus, only non-partisans have been elected.

History

Before 1981, the Majlis al-Shura (Consultative Council) was a unicameral legislature of the Imamate of Oman until its dissolution in 1959.

Legislative process

As mentioned in the Basic Law of the State (de facto constitution), the Council of Oman has some legislative and oversight powers. The Council of Ministers (the main executive branch) must have to refer draft laws to the Assembly, which has to approve or amend it within a maximum of three months from the date of referring. Then it is referred to the State Council which has to approve or amend it. If the two chambers disagree, they take vote to resolve the difference. However, if any bill passes both chambers, it must be approved and signed by the Sultan to become a law. The assembly has the exclusive power of interpellation to any of the services ministers.^[3]

Requirements

Must be an Omani national by origin.
Must be at least 30 years old by the Gregorian calendar on the commencement date of candidature.
Educated to at least General Education Diploma level.
Never sentenced for a felony or crime involving moral turpitude or trust, even if he is rehabilitated.
Enrolled in the election register.
Not affiliated to a security or military authority.
Not interdicted by a judicial judgment.
Not suffering from a mental illness.
It is permissible for whoever completes his membership term to run again as a candidate for Majlis al Shura.

Latest election

See main article: 2023 Omani general election.

Notes and References

Web site: Majlis Shura - Our History. www.shura.om.
Book: Abhyankar, Rajendra Madhukar. West Asia and the Region: Defining India's Role. 10 June 2019. Academic Foundation. 9788171886166 . Google Books.
Web site: Oman's Sultan Qaboos gives larger role to Shura. Gulf News. 21 October 2011. 24 August 2013.