Oman vote brings little change

This was the sultanate's fifth modern election

The official news agency in Oman has announced the results of the first election in which all citizens over the age of 21 were allowed to vote.

Correspondents say there has been little change in the political make-up of the 83-member consultative council, or majlis al-shura.

Tribal loyalties appeared to have determined the popularity of candidates.

Only two women were elected, despite efforts by the authorities to encourage more women both to stand as candidates, and to participate in the ballot.

The majlis has no formal legislative powers but is consulted by the Sultan of Oman on new laws and policies.

An election official said turnout had been "good", but figures suggest the actual number of people who registered to vote was low.

There have been reforms since the last vote to the majlis three years ago, but the chamber's powers remain restricted

Only 15 women stood for election out of 500 candidates.

Previously, the government handpicked the 25% of the population it wanted to vote for its consultative council.

With all adults over 21 now allowed to vote, it means the number of women able to vote has increased from only 7.5% of the population to about half.

Electoral milestone

Oman's reform programme, led by Sultan Qaboos, has been called the modern renaissance, says the BBC's Lucy Williamson in Muscat.

The Sultan has gradually widened representation and increased the participation of women since the majlis al-shura was established in 1991.

Saturday's elections were seen as an important milestone in that process.

But as with the last two elections in this conservative and traditional country, only two women have been chosen to sit alongside the 81 male members of the council.

But none of those elected this weekend have very extensive rights.

They can choose to advise Sultan Qaboos on education, health and service issues, but will not be invited to express their views on defence, foreign policy or any other topics he deems sensitive.

Analysts suggest that it is because of this limit on the majlis al-shura's powers that there is some apathy among Omanis.

Despite efforts by the Interior Ministry to encourage voting, including sending text messages to mobile phone as reminders, figures suggest only 30% of those eligible to vote had registered their intention to do so.