Two women elected in Oman polls

Voters in the Gulf state of Oman have elected two women to the advisory council -- the same number as those elected in the last polls in 1997.

One of the women, Lujaina al Zuaabi, said she wanted to improve women's rights and education. She also said she would try to change the practice of families marrying their young daughters to elderly men in return for large dowries. The BBC Gulf correspondent says these elections are a step forward for democracy in Oman, because the number of women eligible to vote increased from ten to thirty per cent of the electorate.

And for the first time, the candidate with the highest number of votes automatically sits on the council, rather than being picked from among the top scorers by the sultan.

The council has no legislative powers and can only advise on economic matters and question ministers.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service