In their editorials Sunday, Qatari newspapers highlighted the 20th anniversary of the historic referendum on the first constitution of the State of Qatar April 29, 2003, as this anniversary and the conscious popular participation affirm the will and determination of the State of Qatar and its leadership and people to consolidate the foundations of a state of institutions and build on actual and real experiences over the years.
The newspapers stressed that the referendum came in line with Qatar’s achievements on the eve of the 21st century, and to meet the aspirations to expand the base of popular participation through the establishment of an elected parliamentary council.
The papers have also paid attention to the start of the process of registering the names in the voter lists ahead of 7th Central Municipal Council elections due on June 22, and will continue until May 4, as the registration process coincides with the 20th anniversary of the referendum on the country’s first permanent constitution.
Al-Sharq newspaper said in its editorial that April 29 is an anniversary that will remain immortal in the memory of Qatari people, and an important day in the march of the renaissance in the State of Qatar, as twenty years ago, Qataris started an important historical stage in the country’s march towards progress and building a state of law and institutions, as they attended polling stations to hold a referendum on Qatar’s first permanent constitution.
The newspaper considered that the day of the referendum on the permanent constitution of the country represents a historic moment and reflects Qatari people’s feelings of pride in their country and its wise leadership, as polling stations saw a remarkable turnout, and the result of the referendum was in favor of the draft constitution, with 96.6 percent of the vote.
The daily pointed out that the constitution included the essential principles for building a modern state based on the Arab-Islamic identity of the State; defined the foundations of governance and the basic components of the Qatari society; accurately balanced rights and duties; laid the foundations for free economic activity.
In conclusion, Al-Sharq said that the Qatari constitution came within the framework of the wise leadership’s vision and its strong determination to build a prosperous and stable country capable of achieving sustainable development and ensuring the continuation of a decent life for its people, generation after generation.
For its part, Al-Raya newspaper said that years have passed to emphasize citizens’ keenness to participate in such historical moments and the awareness that extends through generations, when the world witnessed a wide participation of citizens, male and female, to choose their representatives in the first elected Shura Council in October 2021, thus activating all articles of the constitution.
It added that the history of the State of Qatar is marked by the issuance of the first provisional basic system of governance in 1970, and its amendment in 1972 to comply with the requirements of that stage and its responsibilities, which have since defined the parameters and goals of the State’s policies.
In conclusion, Al-Raya said that the permanent constitution granted the Shura Council broader legislative jurisdiction, and emphasized some constitutional tools to monitor the government’s performance, in addition to confirming the Council’s role in approving the general budget and others, noting that the image was completed during the era of HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, by holding the historic Shura Council elections that dazzled the world and proved citizens’ keenness to participate in building the nation and the state of institutions and law under our wise leadership throughout the ages. (MORE)
Source: Qatar News Agency