Muscat – The Ministry of Interior on Sunday released the preliminary list of 883 candidates – including 33 women – who have submitted applications for the tenth term of Majlis A’Shura election.

“The applications will be scrutinised within ten days from the last day of their submission,” informed Talib bin Ali al Amri, head of the media team for elections at the Ministry of Interior.

He explained that it is permissible to object to the names in the preliminary list of candidates by submitting an application through the election website within five days from the date of its announcement.

According to Amri, Dhofar governorate topped the list with 255 candidates, including two women; followed by Dakhiliyah with 111 candidates.

“Campaign for the election will begin on the day the final list of candidates is released and it will come to an end one day before the election, in accordance with the election law and the procedures and controls of electoral campaigning,” Amri said.

The ministry informed that voting for Majlis A’Shura members will be held via mobile phones following the success of a similar process, which was applied during the municipal council elections.

For the first time in December last year, municipal elections were held electronically through the Intakhib app launched by the Ministry of Interior. The app was designed in accordance with the security standards to ensure complete confidentiality in the election process. It makes casting of votes an easy and convenient process.

Intakhib runs on smartphones having the NFC feature and Internet connection, and a voter must have his or her name registered in the electoral roll.

The Ministry of Interior has also introduced a new electronic public service called ‘My Page’ as part of the Intikhab app and Majlis A’Shura’s election website – https://shura2023.elections.om/

The service has been launched to support candidates participating in the upcoming elections to promote their manifesto and conduct election campaigns on this platform.

The ‘My Page’ service will allow candidates to post their personal information and share photos and videos in compliance with approved electoral campaign regulations. 

This feature allows voters to access the list of candidates, stay updated on their activities, interact with them, and comment on their content.