Friday, Feb 11, 2005
Saudis vote in "men-only" municipal election
By Atul Aneja
MANAMA, FEB.10. Saudi Arabia has taken the first step of introducing elements of democracy in the kingdom by holding the first phase of municipal elections in and around Riyadh today.
Polls opened this morning and turnout had picked up by midday. However, only men have been allowed to contest and vote. Half the Municipal council will be elected while the Government will appoint the remaining 50 per cent. More than 1,800 candidates are competing for around 200 seats in the Riyadh area. They range from businessmen, tribal figures, security chiefs, to academicians. Around 200 polling stations in Riyadh and surrounding areas remained open until 5:00 pm local time. Elections would be held in phases, throughout the country and the entire exercise will be over in the next two months.
Only local monitors are officially observing the polls, but a seven-member delegation from the European Parliament including two women visited polling stations. The group timed a visit to Saudi Arabia at the invitation of the appointed Shura (consultative) Council to coincide with the polls.
Despite being held for the first time, the response has remained lukewarm, as only about 148,000 Saudi men have registered, out of 400,000 eligible voters in the Riyadh area. Nevertheless, campaign tents surfaced at empty plots near the roads, where candidates received supporters and discussed their programme during the phase of electioneering. Saudi newspapers also carried full-page advertisements, amid pledges for fighting corruption and the beautification of the city.
Women's participation
The question of women being disallowed participation in elections has acquired a high profile. "The issue will be scrutinised in the next round. And it is up to the royal court and higher authorities to decide if the time is suitable for women to be appointed or allowed to cast their votes in the second round," said Saleh Al-Malik, a member of the Election Commission to reporters at a press conference.
Mansoor ibn Miteb, chairman of Election Commission, cited technical reasons for the decision to keep women out of the elections.
"The Government intended to go with the elections without the involvement of women due to the lack of trained women and the lack of infrastructure needed for the establishment of segregated women's ballot centres in the Kingdom." "We will recommend that women vote next time," Riyadh Mayor Abdul Aziz bin Ayyaf al-Muqrin observed after casting his ballot.
Asked whether today's election would lead to further democratisation, Prince Mansoor said, "I hope my Government will proceed with what is best for the people as long as it does not contradict or violate the Islamic religion."
Copyright © 2005, The Hindu.