Legislative elections in Qatar have effectively been postponed for at least another three years following the emir's decision to extend the Advisory Council's mandate until 2019.
According to Doha News, Decree No. 30 of 2016 dismisses the council's 44th regular council as of July 18 and the Emiri decision No. 25 extends the council's term until June 30 of 2019. Legislative elections have now been postponed four times by the emirate.
This is the first time Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad has made such a ruling since his father handed over power in 2013. Back in 2011, his father, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa, pledged that elections would be held within two years. However, when he handed power to his son he decided to extend the Advisory Council's mandate until 2016 due to the transition.
While Qatar's constitution calls for the Advisory Council to be made up of 30 elected and 15 appointed members, a provision exists that says "extending the council’s term is permitted if it is found to be in the public’s best interest."
Legislative elections have never been held in Qatar. However, municipal elections took place for the first time in 2007 and again in 2011. Both men and women are allowed to vote at the age of 18.
It remains unclear whether the government will now hold legislative elections in 2019 or will once again postpone them.