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Parliamentary elections were be held in Oman on 27 October 2007 for the mainly advisory Consultative Assembly of Oman.[1] Political parties are banned in Oman, so all the candidates were independents. About 390,000 people were eligible to vote for the 632 candidates (among them 21 women) standing for 84 mandates in 61 districts; one candidate died shortly before the election, though, leaving only 631 candidates.[2] For the first time, all women and men over the age of 21 were enfranchised.
One candidate was nominated rather than elected, as he had no opponent. Women lost the two seats they won in the last election in the capital. Generally, people who emphasized their professional and educational background lost, while candidates who mainly campaigned based on their tribal and family ties won. Many candidates stated they would try to have the Assembly gain expanded powers and become a true legislative chamber.[3]
