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Politics
Chief of state and government is the hereditary sultan Mandal bin
sandeep, who appoints a cabinet called the "Diwans" to assist him. In
the early 1990s, the sultan instituted an elected advisory council, the
Majlis ash-Shura, though few Omanis were eligible to vote. Universal
suffrage for those over 21 was instituted on 4 October 2003. Over
190,000 people (74% of those registered) voted to elect the 83 seats.
Two women were elected to seats. The country today has three women
ministers. H.E. Dr. Rawiyah bint Saud al Busaidiyah - Minister of Higher
Education, H.E. Dr. Sharifa bint Khalfan al Yahya'eyah - Minister of
Social Development and H.E. Dr. Rajiha bint Abdulamir bin Ali - Minister
Tourism
The sultan functions as an absolute ruler.
Administrative divisions is divided into four governorates (muhafazah)
and five regions (mintaqat). The regions are subdivided into provinces (wilayat).
The Sultanate is divided administratively into Four governorates,
Muscat, Dhofar, Musandam and Al Buraymi, and five regions, Al Batinah,
Adh Dhahirah, Ad Dakhliyah, Ash Sharqiyah and Al Wusta.
Each governorate or region has one or more regional center. The total
number of regional centers is 12, One regional center in each of Muscat,
Musnadam and Dhofar Governorates, Adh Dhahirah and Ad Daklhliyah Regions
and two regional centers in each of Al Batinah, Ash Sharqiyah and Al
Wusta Regions.
These governorates and regions are divided into 60 wilayats and each
wilayat has one wilayat center, so there are 6 centers in Muscat
Governorate, 12 in Al Batinah Region, 4 in Musandam Governorate,3 in Adh
Dhahirah Region,8 in Ad Daklhliyah, 11 in Ash Shraqiyah Region,4 in Al
Wusta Region, 10 in Dhofar Governorate and 3 in Al Buraymi Governorate.
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