Thursday 12 / November / 2026
Muscat- The Elections Committee of Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI) today announced the final lists of candidates for membership of the Chamber's Board of Directors and the boards of its branches for the electoral term (2026–2030). This precedes the elections scheduled for Monday, 23 November, in which the business community will select its representatives for the next four years.
The announcement of the final lists is part of ongoing preparations to organise the electoral process under procedures that ensure transparency, integrity and equal opportunity among candidates. It also enables Chamber members who meet the requirements to exercise their electoral rights in accordance with approved regulations.
Eng. Ghalib Said Al Maamari, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion for Commerce and Industry and Chairman of the Elections Committee, affirmed that the elections represent an important milestone in strengthening the institutional participation of the private sector in economic development. They also consolidate its role as a key partner in developing the business environment and raising the competitiveness of the national economy.
He said the Chamber plays a pivotal role in representing the interests of the business community and conveying its aspirations to the relevant authorities. It also participates in discussing economic policies and legislation, which strengthens partnership between the public and private sectors and supports the growth of institutions and companies of all sizes and activities, in line with the targets of Oman Vision 2040.
On his turn, Dr. Mohammed Rashid Al Badi, a member of the Elections Committee, affirmed that announcing the final candidate lists represents a fundamental stage in preparations for the elections. He noted that the committee continues to implement organizational and technical procedures according to the approved timetable, ensuring the integrity and transparency of the electoral process.
He explained that the committee is completing the review and audit of voter lists and examining objections submitted against the preliminary lists during the period from 8 to 10 November. This precedes the adoption and publication of the final lists once the prescribed procedures are completed.
He called on business owners to review the voter lists upon publication and verify the inclusion of their institutions and companies that meet the electoral requirements. They should also confirm the accuracy of the data of persons authorized to vote on their behalf.
He explained that the announced requirements for exercising the right to vote include payment of the annual Chamber membership fee and the employment of at least one Omani worker registered with the Social Protection Fund, or holding a valid Entrepreneurship Card issued by the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority. The remaining conditions and regulations governing the electoral process must also be met.
He noted that the elections scheduled for 23 November will be conducted electronically through smartphone applications. This will allow eligible voters to cast their votes from inside and outside the Sultanate of Oman without the need to attend specific polling stations, in accordance with approved technical regulations and procedures to ensure the integrity of voting and the reliability of results.
He stressed the importance of candidates' commitment to the specified deadlines and regulations for electoral campaigns and to presenting realistic programmes that reflect the needs and aspirations of the business community. He noted that the committee is keen to apply the regulatory procedures to all candidates to ensure fairness and equal opportunity.
The Board of Directors of Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI) consists of 21 members, including the heads of the ten branch boards, five members elected for Muscat Governorate, five members representing public joint-stock companies listed on the Muscat Stock Exchange, and one member representing foreign investors holding an investor residency, in accordance with the provisions governing the formation of the Board. If no foreign investor is nominated, the seat is filled according to the mechanism stipulated in the Chamber's regulations.
The new Board of Directors is scheduled to hold its first meeting within seven days of the announcement of the final election results to elect the Chairman and two Vice Chairmen by secret ballot, marking the start of the new electoral term (2026–2030).
