Muscat: The Municipal Council election for the third term held on Sunday saw a quantum jump in the use of modern technology, according to the members of the Main Committee.

Addressing a press conference on Monday, the members detailed the first-of-its-kind use of smartphone application ‘Intakhib’ and the due process of elections that witnessed 126 candidates being elected.  

Khalid bin Hilal Al Busaidi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Interior and Chairman of the Main Committee, reaffirmed that the ministry was keen to keep pace with the automation process, integration of data, and employment of digital technologies as part of the government’s digital transformation programme in line with Oman Vision 2040.

He said that this time the elections were different as it was a fully online/electronic process, starting with registration in the election register, sorting of votes and the announcement of election results.

The Ministry of Interior used its past experiences to make a qualitative shift in the use of digital techniques to facilitate submission of applications of candidates.
Al Busaidi said: “The Ministry of Interior launched Intakhib Elect app in November, which helped with the sorting process, declaration of initial and final lists of candidates and other
services.”
“This application was useful in casting of votes both within and outside the Sultanate,” he added.

Al Busaidi said: “A total of 39.42 percent of voters participated in the election process which is within the normal limits and that the Ministry is working on to evaluate this aspect.”

Intakhib Elect app was designed by Omani team from the Ministry of Interior, he said pointing to that the use of the application has contributed to reduction of the financial cost of the elections process.

“We have not noticed or received any objections so far on the results of the elections, he said, adding that objections can be submitted online through the website of the Ministry of Interior within the legally prescribed period.

He also added that the details related to the elections process were released on time through the application.
Mohammed bin Said Al Balushi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Information and Chairman of Information Committee for Elections of the Members of the Municipal Councils for the Third Term, said that the voting process through smartphones  has contributed to speedy casting of votes, the interaction of the society and the announcement of the results of elections.

Dr. Ali bin Amer Al Shizani, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology for Communications and Information Technology and Chairman of the Technical Committee for the Elections of Members of Municipal Councils for the Third Term said that “we have not seen any technical challenges in voting through smart phones and the only issue related to the use of the application by the voters.”

The press conference was held at InterContinental  on Monday and it was attended by a number of media persons and journalists from the local and international media and press.