Qatar’s 1st Legislative Elections Set for Oct. 2

Qatar will hold its first ever legislative election on October 2, according to a decree issued on Sunday by Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.

Qataris in 30 new electoral districts will elect 30 members of the Shura Council. The other members of the 45-seat legislature will be appointed by the emir.

According to the electoral law passed in July, all members of the council, whether elected or appointed, will have the same rights and responsibilities. Candidates must be born in Qatar and be at least 30 years old. Qatari citizens ages 18 and over, and whose grandfather was born in Qatar, can vote in districts in which their tribe or family reside.

Prime Minister Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa Bin Abdulaziz Al Thani urged all eligible Qataris to vote in the upcoming elections.

Qataris make up about 10 percent of its 2.7 million population; most others are foreign workers.