Muscat: Several members of Oman’s Shura council are filing a lawsuit in Sohar’s Administrative Court, following a decision in March by the Administrative Affairs Council banning them from running in the coming elections.
The members contend that no government agency has the right to issue regulations which run counter to the provisions of laws and royal decrees.
Article 25 of the State Basic Law say the right to litigation is protected and guaranteed for all nationals.
The first session is to be held on Monday.
The decision to bar the members could have negative long-term consequences, according to Ahmad Al Mamari, a lawyer for the Shura council members.
He said the barred members have met all the requirements needed to run.
Article 58 of the Omani Basic Law says candidates must be Omani nationals, at least 30 years old, never convicted of a felony. Candidates must also not be affiliated with the country’s military or security authorities and not suffering from any mental illness.
Salim Al Mashani, one of the barred members said that preventing him and other members from running could create a confidence crisis between voters and the government.
The barred members next course of action could be to write a grievance letter to Sultan Qaboos, who could influence the judiciary.
The decision to bar the candidates comes after the Ministry of Interior earlier this month blacklisted a number of candidates for the next election.
Among those banned are current members, including Salim Al Awfi, Humaid Al Nasri and Salim Al Mashani.
Khalid Bin Hilal Al Bu Said, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Interior, defended the ministry’s actions and said the applicants who had been barred failed to meet the requirements, according to the law.
