page_title: Politics of Qatar
section_title: Political parties and elections
hierarchical_section_title: Politics of Qatar / Political parties and elections
caption_attribution_description: English: Election billboards in Qatar advertising the 2007 municipal elections.
context_page_description: The political system of Qatar is either an absolute monarchy or a constitutional monarchy, with the Emir of Qatar as head of state and head of government. Under the 2003 constitutional referendum it should be a constitutional monarchy. Sharia law is the main source of Qatari legislation.
context_section_description: Qatar held a constitutional referendum in 2003, which was overwhelmingly supported. The first municipal elections with men and women voters and candidates were held in 1999 Central Municipal Council. The first legislative election, for two thirds of the legislative council's 45 seats, were planned for 2016. In June 2016 they were effectively postponed to at least 2019.
  Suffrage is currently limited to municipal elections and two thirds of the seats in the legislative council, with the voting age set at 18. Expatriate residents are excluded, as are the vast number of residents who are prevented from applying for citizenship. The elected Municipal Council has no executive powers but may offer advice to the Minister.
caption: Election billboards advertising the 2007 municipal elections.
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