The Ministry of Interior launched the “Intakhib” application ahead of the third-term municipal council elections, establishing it as the unified and officially approved mechanism for voting in both municipal council and Shura Council elections. The application enables individuals, inside and outside the Sultanate of Oman, to cast their votes and select their representatives electronically, provided that the voter is registered in the electoral roll and holds a valid national ID card.
The app was first used during the elections of the Oman Labour Union as part of efforts to enhance the efficiency of the electoral process and assess its reliability before being officially adopted for the 2022 municipal council elections. Featuring some of the latest technologies that strengthen digital security and protection, the application includes facial recognition (photo matching) and Near Field Communication (NFC) capabilities. These efforts were crowned with the Ministry of Interior receiving the award for Best Digital Government Service Provided for Beneficiaries during the 2024 Government Digital Excellence Award ceremony.
In a later stage, the Ministry introduced the “Intikhab” application as a complementary platform to “Intakhib.” Designed as an interactive digital space, it reinforces community engagement in the electoral process. The app enables citizens to stay informed about the latest developments and statistics related to the elections. It also enables candidates to manage their electoral campaigns in accordance with approved regulations and to engage in direct dialogue with voters within their electoral districts through the “My Page” service, which is available on both the app and the official elections website.
The “Intikhab” app also allows users to follow initial and final vote-count indicators after the voting closes. It provides a channel for receiving suggestions and reports aimed at improving the electoral process, supports voter registration, enables users to submit candidacy applications, and offers the ability to transfer electoral registration from one wilaya to another based on national ID card data.
Electronic voting has created equal opportunities for all eligible members of society to choose their representatives and take part in shaping national decision-making. Its accessibility and user-friendly experience have encouraged wider participation across different segments of society.
To further promote digital civic engagement, the Ministry prepared an electronic survey that allowed the public to contribute their suggestions and development ideas for the “Intakhib” application. This survey was made available through tablets at the Ministry’s booth during COMEX 2024, the national technology exhibition, as well as through the Ministry’s social media platforms.
The Ministry also shared voter participation statistics, with 288,469 voters taking part in the third-term municipal council elections and 496,279 voters participating in the tenth-term Shura Council elections. These figures reflect the strong success of digital voting and the high level of public trust in its effectiveness.
The electronic voting experience in the Sultanate of Oman marks a significant step toward institutionalising digital participation. With ongoing advancements in electoral technologies, the nation reaffirms its commitment to providing a secure, transparent, and forward-looking digital model that earns citizens' trust and aligns with the aspirations of the future.
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