Qatari citizens start vote on referendum

Qatari citizens who reside in the Sultanate cast their votes in a general referendum for the endorsement of Qatar permanent draft constitution at the Qatari Embassy here today, two-days prior to the referendum in Qatar which will be held on Tuesday.

Sa’ad Nasser Al-Humaidi, Qatari Ambassador to the Sultanate said his country’s permanent constitution comes in culmination of the democracy progress and to enhance the building of the modern constitutional state.

He added in a statement to Oman News Agency (ONA) that the constitution will play a considerable role in consolidating democracy in the political and social life in Qatar, support the state institutions and increase citizen participation.

He noted that the Qatari draft constitution put to the general referendum comprises 150 articles, notably the article which stipulates for the establishing of a 45 member parliament which will have wide powers in legislating and questioning ministers and withdraw confidence in them on the approval of one/third of its members.