The Council of Oman (parliament) comprises the Majlis al-Dawla (State Council) and the Majlis al-Shura (Consultative Council). Members of the Majlis al-Dawla are appointed by the sultan for a four-year term. Members of the 83-seat Majlis al-Shura are elected for a four-year term by universal suffrage, but the council currently has no legislative powers. However, in response to the protests, the sultan announced in March that the Council of Oman was to be given legislative and audit powers. The change requires an amendment to the country's Basic Law. A draft amendment outlining the change will be drawn up by a committee and presented to the sultan by mid-April. It remains to be seen how significant the Council of Oman's new powers are, and how the power is allocated between the elected and the appointed councils.

Increasing the powers of the Majlis al-Shura has been one of the main reforms demanded by protesters. The next election for the council is due to be held in October 2011. Women are encouraged to participate in elections, but even though a number of women were nominated as candidates by their districts in the election in October 2007, all the seats were won by men.