Qataris vote in 1st legislative elections

By Ahmed Youssef

DOHA, Qatar (AA) – Qatari voters began to cast ballot on Saturday in the Gulf state’s first legislative elections.

Polling stations opened at 8 a.m. local time (0500 GMT), and will close at 6 p.m. (1500 GMT).

Voters will elect 30 members of the 45-seat advisory Shura Council, while the ruling emir will appoint the remaining 15 members.

A total of 234 candidates are contesting in the polls to win seats in the advisory and legislative body, which discusses and approves general state policies, budgets and draft law proposals.

The legislative polls come ahead of Qatar hosting the football World Cup next year.

*Writing by Ibrahim Mukhtar