Qataris voted on Saturday in the country's first legislative elections to choose two-thirds of its advisory Shura Council.
The vote was for 30 members of the 45-seat body. Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad, the Emir of Qatar, will appoint the remaining 15 members.
The council will have legislative authority and approve general state policies and the budget, but has no say in other areas, such as defence and security.
Preliminary results show that none of the 26 women who stood were elected, out of an initial field of 233 candidates across 30 districts. Withdrawals had earlier thinned that total to 183 candidates seeking election by Saturday.
“Where candidates realised that they had no shot to win a seat, they decided to endorse other candidates,” Andreas Krieg, an associate professor at King's College London, told AFP.
Average turnout was 44.3 per cent in the 29 constituencies that had more than one candidate, state TV reported.
Campaigning took place on social media and at community meetings.
Qataris number about 333,000, but only descendants of those who were citizens in 1930 were eligible to vote or stand.
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epa01969553 Emir of Qatar Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani (C-R) and Crown Prince of Qatar Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani (C -L) attend a military parade at the Doha Corniche to mark the Qatar National Day on 18 December 2009.On the 18th of December, Qatar celebrates its National Day in commemoration of the historic day in 1878 when Shaikh Jasim, the founder of the State of Qatar,succeeded his father, Shaikh Muhammad Bin Thani, as a ruler and led the country toward unity. EPA/STR *** Local Caption *** 01969553.jpg -
Qatari Crown Prince Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani attending the opening session of the 33rd Gulf leaders summit in Sakhir Palace, South of Manama, Bahrain. EPA/STR -
Qatar's Crown Prince Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani (L) and FIFA president Sepp Blatter (R) attend the final match of the Crown Prince Cup football tournament. AFP Photo /Karim Jaafar -
The Emir of Qatar Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani is seen speaking to the media in Washington on April 23, 2013 and his son, Qatari Crown Prince Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani, smiles as he arrives at the Elysee Palace in Paris. AFP Photo/Jewel Samad/E??? -
Qatari Crown Prince Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani smiling as he arrives in the Bahraini capital of Manama, to attend the annual Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) summit. AFP Photo / Mohammed Al Shaikh -
Qatari Crown Prince Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani (R) greeting his Danish counterpart Frederik ahead of a meeting in Doha. AFP Photo/Ho -
Brazilian's PSG manager Leonardo, left, is seen with club owner, Qatar's Crown Prince Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani. AP Photo/Jacques Brinon -
Qatar's Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani (R) stands next to his son Crown Prince Sheikh Tamim before the Emir Cup final match. Reuters/ Fadi Al Assaad -
Qatar's Crown Prince Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani waves as he arrives at Al-Sadd Stadium for the final match of the Crown Prince Cup soccer tournament. EPA -
Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy, (L) bids farewell to Qatar's Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani (R) after their working lunch the Elysee Palace, in Paris, France. EPA/Lucas Dolega -
Qatari Crown Prince, Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani (R) arriving for the military parade to mark Qatar's National Day celebration, in Doha, Qatar. EPA/STR -
