Thursday 04 / July / 2024
MUSCAT: Shura Council elections are one of the important pillars of Oman’s governance and the forthcoming polls in October have already created a lot of buzz among the voters and the candidates.
To ensure fair and swift declaration of results, the Ministry of Interior has allowed the use of ‘Intikhab’ mobile application.
Voters will need to validate their registration for the use of the app on the day of elections and the ministry recently extended the period for submitting applications for registering fresh voters or transferring the electoral files of existing voters who wish to elect members for the Majlis Al Shura’s tenth term.
The deadline has been extended to Thursday, September 14, 2023.
Applications can be filed via ‘Intikhab’ app or through the elections’ website (elections.om), depending on the permanent or current address noted on an applicant’s ID card.
The ministry emphasised the citizens about the importance of verifying the status of their registration in the electoral register to be allowed to be eligible for voting.
Welcoming the use of ‘Intikhab’ app, Abdullah Humaid Al Hadhrami, a candidate from the Wilayat of Samail told Times of Oman: “The application has made it easy for voters to exercise their franchise on the voting day from their homes and without interruption.
“I strongly believe the app will help an increase in percentage of voting, which is a very positive sign for polls.”
Al Hadhrami added: “The facilities in the application also provides the candidates the option of updating his or her views, which is a big relief as it reduces the financial burden on the campaign and we can reach out to our voters through the application.”
Preparations are underway for the elections, with more than 800 candidates in fray, including 35 women, for the council seats for the next four years. The application will help citizens to discuss all aspects related to elections and watch the candidates’ vision and their profiles.
Mutasem Al Mamari, a doctor in a government hospital, said: “The application will be a relief to many as it will spur women and youth to use it and exercise their franchise. Voting is an important part of our system.”
On being asked whether voting through phone would impact the Omanis’ approach, he replied: “It needs years of data to answer this question, although this process [voting through app] has been used earlier in the Municipal Council elections.”
Al Mamari added: “It is hard to speculate whether the number of voters will increase this year. However, what is certain is that the forthcoming elections will witness an increase of a new group of participants, particularly the youth and women. Women and physically challenged people previously faced difficulties to reach the voting centre on election day. Youth are the maximum users of the phone and this application will also give Omanis living abroad the right to vote.”
Another young citizen, speaking on condition of anonymity, said: “I will be voting for the first time as I feel it will be much easier this time with a mobile app. In the past, I didn’t vote as I was not keen to go to the polling booth due to large crowds. At times, the weather also played a role in my decision not to vote. This application has made it easy to participate and vote from any place. This would save money and effort for so many community groups and will be welcomed by old people, youths and women.”
Khalfan Al Nadabi, a retired Royal Omani Air Force (RAFO) warranty officer said, “The application will facilitate a wide range of participation and give strength to the democratic process of Oman. I am looking forward to using the application for voting. I believe the votes will be safe with adequate security measures taken in the application.”
Youns Al Abri, a master’s student at Sultan Qaboos University (SQU), said, “I will participate in the Shura elections but I have some concerns. I fear that voting through an app risks being hacked. Voting at a polling booth with ballot papers is always the safest method. I also fear there could be technical glitches during voting while using the application with such a large number voting around the same time.”
‘Intikhab’ provides a package of electoral services, including primary and final lists of candidates, primary and final lists of voters, verification of registered voters, and follow-up of automated counting indicators on the voting day.
