Muscat: Citizens have urged the candidates contesting the Majlis Al Shura elections to use the radio and television to reach out to voters.
Hamed Al Hashimi from the Al Sharqiyah governorate recommended changing the way in which electoral campaigning is done. “The candidates should participate in TV and radio programmes to share their plans for the upcoming elections to help citizens decide whom they should vote for.”
There are 596 candidates vying for the 85 seats, including 20 women, who are already campaigning actively.
The citizens hoped that the Majlis Al Shura candidates must take into account important issues, such as employment and diversifying income resources.
“The Majlis Al Shura candidates also need to focus on national issues, such as education, public health, youth, community and the economy,” Al Hashimi added.
Some of them want Shura council sessions to be shown live on the TV.
“As the elections draw nearer, we are inviting all the candidates in our wilayats to tell us why we should give them our vote. Just the way it is practiced in other countries, they should have a manifesto where they define their goals before the elections. I also want the Shura sessions to be aired live on TV to guarantee transparency and see what they are discussing,” said Omar Al Abdusallam from Wilayat of Saham, north Al Batinah governorate.
Abdul Hafeed Al Amri from Willayat of Salalah said, “The candidates should provide their official contact number once they win the Shura Council seat. They have to keep in touch with the electorate even after the elections. They have to adopt the examples of other countries in the field of development and try to apply them to Oman.”
“We hope all candidates adhere to the election regulations. The election will be a real test of whether the candidates will comply with the regulations and help conduct the elections smoothly on election day or whether there will be attempt to violate regulations to get an advantage and garner more votes,” said a civil society member.
A candidate who is contesting in the elections said, “We are keen to reach out to potential voters through every platform available.”
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