2003 Omani general election

General elections were held in Oman on 4 October 2003 for the mainly advisory Consultative Assembly.[1] They were the first elections in Onan under universal suffrage. As political parties were banned, all candidates for the 83 seats ran as independents.

Background

For the first time, all citizens aged over 21 were given the right to vote; only around 25% of the population had the right to vote in the previous elections in 2000.[2]

Campaign

A total of 506 candidates contested the elections, of which 15 were women. Fifteen female candidates contested the elections.[2]

Results

The two women elected in 2000 (Lujaina Mohsin Darwish and Rahila Al Riyami) were both re-elected.[2]

Party		Seats
	Independents	83
Total		83
Source: IFES

References

1. "Sultanate of Oman: Election for Majlis al-Shura (Omani Consultative Assembly)". IFES Election Guide.
2. "Omani women lose out in elections". Al Jazeera. 5 October 2003.