Oman » Politics

The political system of Oman is hereditary monarchy, where sultan has right to make amendments in country’s laws through royal decree. Sultan is not only the head of the state but also the head of the government.

In early 1990s, the sultan instituted an elected advisory council, the Majlis ash- Shura, which replaced the 10-years-old State Consultative, though only few Omanis were eligible to vote. The 84-member Majlis ash- Shura (Consultative council), is a representative advisory institution that can review legislation. Approximately 245,000 registered voters on Oct, 27 participated in generally free and fair elections for all of the council’s 84 seats.

Citizens were not given the right to change their government, and government restricted freedom of speeches press, assembly, religion, and associations. Government restricted the activity of nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and did not permit the domestic human rights come together to operate in country.

The present day Sultan of Oman, Sayyed Qaboos bin Sa’id Al Bu Sa’id have outstanding amount of power. He is not only the Sultan but also the Prime Minister, defense minister, finance minister, foreign affairs minister, and chairman of the central bank.