MUSCAT — Majlis Ash'shura yesterday held its first regular sitting for the annual session at its head quarters.The session was chaired by Khalid bin Hilal al Ma'awali, Chairman of Majlis Ash'shura to eelect members of Majlis Ash'shura Office and the primary formation for its permanent committees.
The session included completing the procedural aspects stipulated by Majlis Ash'shura internal bylaws, electing members of Majlis Ash'shura Office temporary, the formation of the permanent committees, setting up a special committee to draft the internal bylaw of Majlis Ash'shura after the majlis elected the chairman and two deputies of Majlis Ash'shura at the extra ordinary session which was held on October 29.
The election of Majlis Ash'shura membership resulted in the winning of Maktoum bin Sad al Mahri (47 votes), Ahmed bin Mohammed al Busaidy 38 votes) Abdullah bin Salim al Makhini (38 votes), Mohammed bin Salim al Busaidy (37 votes) Zayid bin Khalfan al Abri 932 votes), Ali bin Hamad al Badi (30 votes). The election was done by direct secret ballot.
Majlis Ash'shura also formed its five permanent committees and distributed members onto these committees temporarily till the internal bylaw of Majlis Ash'shura is issued. While distributing the members, Majlis Ash'shura took into consideration the desires and experiences of the members. Each committee will select a head and a deputy from among its members.
Majlis Ash'shura has earlier formed a technical committee from its employees under the supervision of Shaikh Ali bin Nasser al Mahrouqi, Secretary-General of Majlis Ash'shura to organise and conduct the secret ballot and sorting out of votes to select complementary members for Majlis Ash'shura Office and the classification of the membership of the permanent committees.
The Chairman of Majlis Ash'shura advised the members of receiving the state's draft budget for the fiscal year 2012, which was referred by the 
government. Majlis Ash'shura will study the draft budge and raise its visions and remarks about it. As per the powers of Majlis Ash’shura, that the state draft budget be presented to Majlis Ash'shura which will raise its visions and remarks on the draft budget within 30 days from receiving it.
Each committee held a meeting to select the head and deputy head.
Said bin Ghanim bin Said al Miqbali was elected as Head of the Legal Committee, Nasser bin Khamis bin Mohammed al Khumaisi as Deputy Head.
Saleem bin Ali bin Saleem al Hakmani was selected as Head of the Economic Committee and Ali bin Abdullah bin Ali al Badi as Deputy Head.
Ali bin Khafan bin Salman al Qutaiti was elected as Head of the Health and Social Affairs Committee and Talal bin Rajab bin Ghaloum al Matroushi as Deputy Head.
Khalid bin Hilal bin Hamad al Nabhani was elected as Head of the Education Committee and Mohammed bin Rashid al Qanobi as Deputy Head.
Humaid bin Ali bin Humaid al Nasri was elected as Head of the Services and Local Communities Development Committee and Khalfan bin Salim bin Ahmed al Ghunaimi as deputy Head.
The expanded economic committee held its first meeting to study the draft budget of the state for the fiscal year 2012 to prepare the report on the draft budget before submitting it to the Council during the period stipulated in the latest amendments to the Basic Law of the State issued by the Royal Decree No 99/2011.
Khalid bin Hilal al Maawali, Chairman of Majlis Ash'shura started the session with a speech where he said that the 7th term of Majlis Ash'shura marks the beginning of a new stage of growth and expansion of its legislative and audit powers.
He pointed out that the great legislative and audit powers 
granted to Majlis Ash'shura and the contents of the royal speech of His Majesty the Sultan at the first annual convening of the Council of Oman's fifth term held at Hisn Al Shomoukh in the Wilayat of Manah will act as a real work plan for the coming stage.
Khalid bin Hilal al Ma'awali, Chairman of Majlis Ash'shura expressed sincere thanks and appreciation to His Majesty Sultan Qaboos for the generous grant and the continuous care for Shura and its establishments, as per His Majesty's wise policy and progressive approach in laying the strong foundations of Shura which has reached a great stage of remarkable safe development that places the Shura experience among the comprehensive democratic practice. — ONA
