Qataris voted on Saturday in the Gulf Arab state's first legislative elections.

Turnout for the election of 30 members of the 45-seat body was 63.5 percent, the internal ministry said in a statement early on Sunday. 

The vote is for two thirds of the 45-strong Shura Council, a body with limited powers that was previously appointed by the emir as an advisory chamber.

Latest government lists showed 26 women among 234 candidates across 30 districts in the country, which has for several years held municipal polls.