Qatar on Sunday announced October 2 as its date for the country's first election to vote for members of its top advisory panel, known as the Shura Council.
The date was announced by royal decree, according to a report in the state-run Qatar News Agency.
The Shura Council election aims to give the country's citizens more say on how their hereditary emirate is governed. Qatar's ruling emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, has described the election as “an important step” for the country.
The election allows Qatari citizens to choose 30 members of the country's 45-seat Shura Council, which are now all hand-picked by the ruling elite. The council has no substantive legislative power but advises the emir on new laws and policies.