IFES Election Guide | Country Profile: Oman

Sultanate of Oman

5,001,875
Population (as of Feb. 8, 2019)

753,952
Registered Voters (as of Sept. 17, 2023)

62.17%
Average Turnout

6
Elections in our database

V-Dem* Score: 0.174
Regimes of the World Classification: Closed Autocracy
*Varieties of Democracy Electoral Democracy Index (2024)

CEDAW Status: Ratified
Ratified Date: Feb. 7, 2006

SIGI Score: N/A

CRPD Status: Signed and Ratified
Signed Date: March 17, 2008
Ratified Date: Jan. 6, 2009

HDI* Score: 0.858
Category: Very High
*UNDP Human Development Index (2023)

Name	Official Name	Type
Omani Consultative Assembly	Majlis al-Shura	Lower House
Omani Council of State	Majlis al-Dawla	Upper House
Omani Sultan and Prime Minister	Sultan and Prime Minister	Head of State

Description of government structure:

Chief of State: Sultan and Prime Minister QABOOS bin Said al-Said
Head of Government: Sultan and Prime Minister QABOOS bin Said al-Said
Assembly: Oman has a bicameral Council of Oman (Majlis Oman) consisting of the Council of State (Majlis al-Dawla) with 85 seats and the Consultative Assembly (Majlis al-Shura) with 85 seats.

Description of electoral system:

The Sultan and Prime Minister is hereditary head of state.
In the Council of State (Majlis al-Dawla) 85 members are appointed by the monarch from among former government officials and prominent citizens. In the Consultative Assembly (Majlis al-Shura), 85 members are elected by plurality vote to serve 4-year terms.

* Following political reforms of 2011, all legislation from the Consultative Assemly is referred to the State Council for approval or amendment. Drafts must be approved by both chambers before being submitted to the Sultan.

Elections

2023-10-29
Omani Consultative Assembly
Votes 496,279
Registered 753,952
Turnout 65.82

2019-10-27
Omani Consultative Assembly
Votes 349,680
Registered 713,335
Turnout 49.02

2015-10-25
Omani Consultative Assembly
Votes 297,905
Registered 525,785
Turnout 56.66

2011-10-15
Omani Consultative Assembly
Votes 397,000
Registered 518,000
Turnout 76.64

2007-10-27
Omani Consultative Assembly
Votes 212,354
Registered 338,683
Turnout 62.7

2003-10-04
Omani Consultative Assembly
Votes -
Registered 822,000
Turnout -

Election For	Date	Votes	Registered Voters	Turnout
Omani Consultative Assembly	2023-10-29	496,279	753,952	65.82
Omani Consultative Assembly	2019-10-27	349,680	713,335	49.02
Omani Consultative Assembly	2015-10-25	297,905	525,785	56.66
Omani Consultative Assembly	2011-10-15	397,000	518,000	76.64
Omani Consultative Assembly	2007-10-27	212,354	338,683	62.7
Omani Consultative Assembly	2003-10-04	-	822,000	-

Voter Turnout

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