Oman sets seat-loss rules for absent Shura members, expands budget oversight

Attendance requirements and limits on immunity

The new attendance threshold covers meetings of the Shura Council, its bureau and its committees. Members will forfeit their seats after missing three consecutive meetings or five separate meetings within a year.

The amendments also bar members from using parliamentary immunity outside its intended purpose. When immunity is abused, the chamber concerned must act on requests to lift it and authorize criminal proceedings. Members of either the State Council or the Shura Council may no longer hold a seat on the board of the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry at the same time.

According to the Omani Legislation Search Engine, the decree changes the Law of Majlis Oman, originally enacted through Royal Decree No. 7/2021. It was issued after consideration of the Members of Majlis Al-Shura Elections Law, promulgated by Royal Decree No. 54/2023.

The decree appeared in Official Gazette No. 1672 on November 1, 2026. Article III provides for it to take effect the day after publication.

Budget review and economic recommendations

Both councils will receive draft development plans and the state budget at the same time for review. The State Council may also be asked to give its views on proposed economic and social agreements.

The Shura Council will be able to initiate recommendations to the government on economic challenges and steps to support development when it considers action necessary in the public interest.

Those powers come with explicit boundaries. Members cannot use parliamentary scrutiny to pursue private interests, deal with personal matters, breach existing legislation or damage the public interest.

Sovereign and security matters are outside the scope of oversight, as are cases still before the courts or Public Prosecution. Matters resolved by final judicial rulings are also excluded.

Vacancies and seats allocated to women

The amendments establish procedures to replace departing Shura Council members. These include choosing the next eligible female candidate with the highest share of votes in the governorate concerned.

A separate measure issued on October 26, Royal Decree No. 98/2026, adds Article 4 bis to the Shura Council Members Election Law. According to the Foreign Ministry of Oman, it requires the responsible minister to set the nomination rules and procedures for one woman from each governorate to fill the membership allocated to that governorate.

The measures follow the Sultan's June 2026 directive allocating 11 additional Shura Council seats to women, one for each governorate, as reported by The National. These seats are in addition to, and separate from, the existing seats open to electoral competition.

In the latest Shura Council election, on October 29, 2023, voters elected 90 members to a four-year term ending in 2027. IPU Parline records 843 candidates, including 32 women. None of the women won a seat, although two women had been elected in earlier elections.