Muscat – Omani citizens living abroad will vote in the Majlis A’Shura’s tenth-term elections via the ‘Intakhib’ app on Sunday. The residents will exercise their franchise the following Sunday – October 29.

Developed to meet the global security standards, the Ministry of Interior’s Intakhib app ensures a secure and confidential voting process. The app functions on NFC-enabled smartphones and is accessible to those with valid identity cards listed in the Electoral Register.

The ministry previously revealed the final list of candidates on its election website – http://www.elections.om.

As per the details released by the ministry, a record number of 753,690 registered voters will take part in the exercise to elect 90 members from 843 candidates. There are 32 women in the fray, the ministry added.

Prepared across multiple dimensions – administrative, technical, legal, and media – the Ministry of Interior confirmed its readiness to oversee the elections.

This ministry’s action involves implementation of updates and improvements in various election-related software and procedures, in partnership with relevant authorities.

The ministry has also rolled out more than 12 electronic services, such as a complete electoral roll, candidate lists, and the real-time voting counts, to streamline the electoral process.

Shaikh Ahmed bin Mohammed al Nadabi, Secretary-General of Majlis A’shura, noted with happinesss the enthusiastic participation from both candidates and voters, signalling people’s interest in the elections.

He pointed out that the new term of the Shura aims to transform in structure and function, in alignment with Oman’s future visions and plans.

According to Nadabi, the Intakhib app allows candidates to comply with electoral advertising rules while offering voters the opportunity to follow and interact with candidates.

This digital engagement, he emphasised, is crucial for assessing Oman’s progress in the field of digital governance.

He also mentioned that the new term would be significant at the national level as it aims to further implement the goals outlined in Oman Vision 2040, the tenth Five-Year Plan, and lays the groundwork for the eleventh Five-Year Plan.