At Stake in this Election:  

Qatar is holding a referendum on amending the Qatari constitution. The focus of these amendments is the Qatari Advisory Council. Currently, 30 of 45 members of the Advisory Council are directly elected while the remaining 15 are appointed by the Amir. The proposed changes to the constitution would make all 45 members appointed by the Amir.  

Government Structure:  

• Chief of State: Amir TAMIM bin Hamad Al Thani (since 25 June 2013) 

• Head of Government: Prime Minister and Foreign Minister MUHAMMAD bin Abd al-Rahman Al Thani (since 7 March 2023) 

• Assembly: unicameral Advisory Council (Majilis al-Shura) with 45 seats.  

Electoral System:  

• The Amir is a hereditary monarch.  

• The Prime Minister is appointed by the Amir. 

• 30 of the 45 members of the Advisory Council are directly elected by popular vote to 4-year terms. The remaining 15 members are appointed by the Amir and serve until resignation or dismissal by the Amir.  

Population: 

• Population: 2,716,391 (2023 est.) 

Gender Data: 

• Female Population: 751,956 (2023 est.) 

• CEDAW Status:  Acceded 29 Apr 2009 

• Gender Quota: No 

• Number of Female Legislators (pre-election): 2 of 45 (4%) in the Advisory Council 

• Human Development Index (HDI) Position: 0.875, Very High, rank 40 (2022) 

• Social Institutions and Gender Index (SIGI) Categorization: 60.1 (2023) 

Disability Data: 

• CRPD Status: Signed 09 Jul 2007, Ratified 13 May 2008 

• Projected population with a disability: 434,622 (2023 est.) 

IFES Resources: 

• Does IFES have a presence in Qatar: No 

• Election Access: Yes