“Saudi
Arabia announced it will hold the third municipal council poll by
reducing the voting age to 18 years old. In addition, and for the
first time, it will allow women to participate both as candidates and
voters, Saudi Press Agency reported Wednesday. Head of the General
Municipal Election Committee, Abdulrahman Al Damhash, in a statement
said that voting will be in August, where 20 percent of election
members will be females to deal with female candidates and voters.”
“In
2005, elections for half the municipal councilors were held, with men
voting for male candidates. In February 2009 it was announced that
the 2009 municipal elections would be postponed indefinitely 'for
evaluation.' A government spokesperson said they were postponed in
order to consider women's suffrage in the coming elections. The
municipal elections eventually took place in 2011, but universal
suffrage was delayed until 2015.”
“Saudi
Arabia has no elected parliament, rather an appointed consultative
council, where members can propose legislation without the power to
draft or approve laws.”
Comments
Post a Comment