Results of first direct election results, 2 women and 81 men win

Two women and 81 men won membership in the Omani Shura council in its 4th session (2001-2003) as a result of the elections which took place the day before yesterday.

The elections witnessed strong participation of some 114,567 voters (men and women) in the 59 governorates of the Oman sultanate.

The candidates number reached 540 most whom are from the youths among whom are 21 women who competed for 83 seats in the Shura consultation council. The council serves a consultative role, and does not have a legislative role. However, this is the first time in which the winners of the Shura elections will assume their seats at the council without having to be selected by the Sultan following their win as used to be the case previously.

Omani interior ministry revealed that Ms. Lojina Darwish El-Zaabi ( 32 years) in Mascut governorate won the first position and she works in the private business area, while the second women is Rojaila Bent Amer El-Reiami as she won the first position in Bosher governorate. Rojaila is considered a prominent member in the women's association in Mascut. Previously, the Shura council had two women members.