Oman implements new Shura Council attendance and budget rules

Sultan Haitham bin Tarik has issued Royal Decree No. 97/2026, amending the Council of Oman Law to tighten regulations for Shura Council members and expand legislative oversight.

Under the new rules, Shura Council members will lose their membership if they miss three consecutive meetings or five separate meetings within a single year. This applies to meetings of the council, its bureau, or its committees. The decree also prohibits members from misusing parliamentary immunity for purposes outside its intended scope, requiring chambers to authorize criminal proceedings if immunity is abused.

To prevent conflicts of interest, members of the State Council or Shura Council are now prohibited from simultaneously serving on the board of the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Additionally, the amendments establish a mechanism for filling vacant Shura Council seats by selecting the next eligible female candidate with the highest proportion of votes in the relevant governorate.

Regarding economic oversight, draft development plans and the state budget will now be referred to both the State Council and the Shura Council for simultaneous review. The Shura Council is also empowered to submit recommendations to the government regarding economic challenges and development measures deemed necessary in the public interest.