This election has been welcomed and applauded throughout the world since His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani's announcement at the opening of the 49th session of the Shura Council on November 3 last year.
Prof Dr Mustafa ?entop, Speaker of the Grand National Assembly of the Republic of Turkey, also send a congratulatory message to HE Ahmad bin Abdulla bin Zaid al-Mahmoud, Speaker of the Shura Council of Qatar, praising this wise decision.
Qatar has its own well-established system based on traditions of fair and rational governance in the region which is connected with the people through the pledge of allegiance, loyal relations, mutual trust and direct communication.
The coming Shura Council elections will be a further important step to strengthen these traditions and evolve the legislation through a wider participation of citizens.
It will also promote civic participation and education.
I am following with great interest the ongoing process of regulations regarding the election, nomination of candidates, and the election campaigns.
Considering that it will be the first election to be held, I can clearly and proudly underline the Qatar institutions, officials and public engagement in the process in a very mature manner.
Meanwhile, the election has encouraged Qatari citizens to learn more about the country’s pressing issues and to join the conversation on the community.
Moreover, the decision to involve citizens more, in decision-making and the development of laws and legislation, is an important step that expresses the early and wise vision of officials in Qatar towards openness with serious steps and their awareness of the importance of change, as well as activating the role of the Shura Council and expanding the participation of their people in decision-making.
In addition to that, the Shura Council elections will pave the way for Qatar to take its place among the representative systems in the world.
This will also be a great opportunity for Qatar to demonstrate that the traditional Amirate system can well be connected with an election of the legislative body, and can function perfectly together.
The Parliament (Grand National Assembly) of the Republic of Turkey expects to strengthen the inter-parliamentarian relations with the elected Shura Council, which are already at an excellent level supported through frequent mutual visits of the Speakers and Interparliamentary Friendship Groups.
I am sure the voter turnout on October 2 will be very high.
At the same time, I am confident, under the wise leadership of His Highness the Amir, the decision for the upcoming and next elections of the Shura Council will further raise Qatar’s well-deserved position among the leading countries in the world.