Middle East: Elections in Qatar soon, says Amir
[Middle East News]: DOHA — Qatar, that has slowly started on the path to greater democracy, has begun preparations to hold its first parliamentary elections. The polls are expected in about an year's time.
As a first step, awareness campaigns are being planned to mentally equip the voters, especially women, to participate in the democratic process.
The Amir of Qatar, His Highness Shaikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, was quoted by the media here as saying yesterday, “We are in preparations for elections which could be held at the end of this year or early next year.”
“No matter what the date will be, we will have elections. This is certain,” he added.
The US has been putting pressure on Arab governments to introduce political and economic reforms since September 11, 2001 attacks on New York and Washington. The US blames lack of democracy in the Arab world for fuelling militancy.
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[Middle East News]: DOHA — Qatar, that has slowly started on the path to greater democracy, has begun preparations to hold its first parliamentary elections. The polls are expected in about an year's time.
As a first step, awareness campaigns are being planned to mentally equip the voters, especially women, to participate in the democratic process.
The Amir of Qatar, His Highness Shaikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, was quoted by the media here as saying yesterday, “We are in preparations for elections which could be held at the end of this year or early next year.”
“No matter what the date will be, we will have elections. This is certain,” he added.
The US has been putting pressure on Arab governments to introduce political and economic reforms since September 11, 2001 attacks on New York and Washington. The US blames lack of democracy in the Arab world for fuelling militancy.
MORE....
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