70 international journalists in Oman to cover polls!

By Lakshmi Kothaneth

The Eighth Term Majis Ashu’shura elections have brought in 70 journalists from different countries. Just as the voting process began in 107 voting centers across the wilyats of Oman, the international journalists also moved across the centres to get firsthand experience of the Shura Elections 2015 in the Sultanate.

“We have 70 journalists and they are all operating from here at the media centre. They are covering the event from various parts of Oman. Of course we have the journalists from Oman too reporting from locations. There are newspapers, television, magazines and news agencies. We are happy to have them here. Some of the journalists met me after their visits to the voting centers and they have expressed their happiness in what they have seen,” said Ali al Jabri, Undersecretary at the Ministry of Information.

Camil Shalala, Editor in Chief, The Middle East Times from Australia said he was impressed with the transparency that was in place at Majlis Shura elections.

Maria Maalouf, Editor in Chief of Gulf Mirror Magazine said as a woman she appreciates the Omani women’s awareness on the shura process. “I understand the importance of shura and it is in the cultural level. People of Oman re very aware of what is going on. 

People from all walks of life are participating. This is a democratic act for their country,” said Malouf who was on Sultanate of Oman Television speaking about her impressions on the election process in Oman. “Usually in some countries there are conflicts and disagreements. There are also cases of illegal practices to gather votes in some countries. Here one feels safe and the process in the polling stations is completely transparent.

Women participation in the voting was overwhelming said Khalifa Ghaballa, Arabic Affairs Editor for Al Masry Al Youm Newspaper from Egypt. “Elderly citizens keenness to participate in the electoral process is also impressive. The election supervisors are extremely professional, which guarantees the process proceed smoothly.

I could see a passion in their work. At one center the supervisor was a ldy engineer who was so helpful and professional to the voters,” said Ghaballa coming back from visiting some of the voting centers out of the 107 polling stations.

/Oman Observer.