HE Minister of Municipality Dr. Abdullah bin Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Subaie emphasized the role of the Central Municipal Council in promoting popular participation in the country as the first platform that translates the sound approach drawn by the wise leadership to serve the homeland and contribute to its development and elevating its status.
In an interview with Qatar News Agency (QNA) on the occasion of the approaching elections for the 7th session of the council, His Excellency added that, since the first council was elected by direct ballot on March 8, 1999, the Central Municipal Council continues its independent role in carrying out its responsibilities freely and democratically, without interference or tutelage from anyone. The council has now reached its 7th session, he said, adding that the elections will be held on June 22, 2023, so that citizens can freely choose 29 members representing 29 electoral districts covering various regions of the country.
On this occasion, HE the Minister of Municipality extended sincerest congratulations to HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani and the esteemed government on the continued success of the practice of popular participation in the country, which is represented in the Shura Council elections and the elections of the Central Municipal Council.
His Excellency drew attention to the freedom enjoyed by the members of the Council in raising issues and monitoring the performance of the ministry, pointing out that it is an independent council that was elected by the Qatari people through free and direct balloting, therefore it exercises its role and tasks with complete freedom, and the Ministry of Municipality has no authority over its actions, as each of them is considered complementary to the other.
The role of the council is a supervisory advisor, and it has the right to discuss all issues and problems. It is not limited to what can be put forward by the ministry which listens to its proposals, he added; noting that the members of the Municipal Council determine their work program and budget without interference from anyone, and the Ministry of Municipality and the Municipal Council work cooperatively for one goal which is serving the country and the citizens.
With regard to the facilities provided by the State for the candidacy and election process, HE Dr. Al Subaie stressed that, since the State took this pioneering step by holding the first elections for the Municipal Council nearly 24 years ago, and over the past six sessions, it continues to provide all facilities for the success of this electoral process. The concerned state agencies provide all their support and efforts to make this democratic practice a success, especially the Ministry of the Interior, which undertakes the task of organizing the elections, based on Decree No. 17 of 1998.
Through all the municipalities, the Ministry of Municipality provides services and facilities related to advertising licenses for electoral campaigning for the candidates, His Excellency said, adding that applications for obtaining them are done electronically through the Ministry's website, and in accordance with the general conditions and required planning and organizational requirements.
To facilitate for the candidates, whether for the Municipal Council or the Shura Council elections, the Ministry of Municipality launched the "guidebook of planning and organizational conditions and the procedures for the means of media and advertisement in Qatar," with the aim of introducing the terms and conditions regulating the various types and levels of the different means of media and advertising, whether they are within or outside the boundaries of the ownership domain, or are independent on their own.
Source: Qatar News Agency