SAUDI ARABIA: Few turn out for nationwide local council elections, only the second in recent memory and one that critics say is a charade
Record ID:
189171
SAUDI ARABIA: Few turn out for nationwide local council elections, only the second in recent memory and one that critics say is a charade
- Title: SAUDI ARABIA: Few turn out for nationwide local council elections, only the second in recent memory and one that critics say is a charade
- Date: 30th September 2011
- Summary: RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA (SEPTEMBER 29, 2011) (REUTERS) SAUDI FLAG FLYING OUTSIDE POLLING STATION VARIOUS OF MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS COMMITTEE WAITING FOR VOTERS INSIDE POLLING STATION SIGN READING : "FOURTH POLLING STATION, DESIGNATED PLACES FOR OBSERVERS, THE MEDIA AND CANDIDATES" ROW OF EMPTY CHAIRS IN FRONT OF SIGN READING: "PARTICIPATE IN THE DECISION-MAKING" ELECTIONS COMMITTEE MEMBERS WAITING FOR VOTERS BALLOT BOX WITH A FEW VOTING PAPERS INSIDE VARIOUS OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS CHATTING WITH EACH OTHER VOTER GIVING HIS ID TO EMPLOYEE EMPLOYEE REGISTERING VOTER IN RECORD BOOK VARIOUS OF PEOPLE VOTING BALLOT BOX WITH A FEW BALLOT PAPERS INSIDE VARIOUS OF MAN VOTING (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) MANSOUR AL SHANQITI, VOTER, SAYING "The turnout is not big because the campaigns were not like previous ones. People are not familiar with the candidates, they don't know them and if you don't know the candidates' names, it is going to be hard to vote for them." CANDIDATES, THE MEDIA AND OBSERVERS WATCHING THE VOTING PROCESS (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) DR.NASSER AL DOSARI, CANDIDATE, SAYING "Seven or eight days is not enough for an organised and well thought-out media campaign because there is a very large number of candidates and a large number of voters. Time was one of the biggest problems we faced." ELECTION BANNER READING: "CHOOSE THE CANDIDATE WHO DESERVES YOUR VOTE." ELECTIONS COMMITTEE MEMBERS OBSERVING, VOTER REGISTERING TO VOTE VOTER PUTTING BALLOT PAPER INTO BALLOT BOX (SOUNDBITE) (English) SALEH AL HARBI, VOTER, SAYING "I think the old council didn't do much for people, so people are not hoping much form this council too, so this is why there is not many voters today." VOTER VOTING (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) IBRAHIM AL SHARIDAH, VOTER, SAYING "If a woman runs in the next elections, I might possibly vote for her if I know her orientations, if she plays an effective role in society and serves the community, why not? She is half of society." RELIGIOUS MAN VOTING
- Embargoed: 15th October 2011 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Saudi Arabia, Saudi Arabia
- Country: Saudi Arabia
- Topics: Politics
- Reuters ID: LVAA79FI34FOK1M77RFARMM9FSGT
- Story Text: Saudi Arabia held nationwide local council elections on Thursday (September 29), only the second in recent memory and one that critics say is a charade.
Of 18 million Saudis only 1.08 million men have registered to vote and turnout appeared low with polling stations looking deserted.
"The turnout is not big because the campaigns were not like previous ones. People are not familiar with the candidates, they don't know them and if you don't know the candidates' names, it is going to be hard to vote for them," explained voter Mansour Al Shanqiti.
Despite democratic change sweeping other Arab countries, the victorious candidates will fill only half the seats on municipal councils that have few real powers.
The councils' limited role includes approving a municipal budget, suggesting planning regulations and overseeing city projects.
That lack of power might go some way to explaining the absence of enthusiasm noticeable on Saudi Arabia's streets this week.
Candidates believe the elections will help increase the government's accountability to its citizens, but one of them, Dr. Nasser al Dosari, said there had been little time to run a proper campaign.
"Seven or eight days is not enough for an organised and well thought-out media campaign because there is a very large number of candidates and a large number of voters. Time was one of the biggest problems we faced," he said.
The conservative kingdom has no political parties, while members of its Shura Council are appointed by the royal family and have only advisory powers. The royal family dominates key government posts and ministers are appointed by the king.
However, in March Saudi Arabia announced it would at last hold the long-delayed municipal elections that were originally scheduled for 2009, ostensibly to involve citizens in the decision-making process.
But some voters said many people did not believe it was worth voting.
"I think the old council didn't do much for people, so people are not hoping much form this council too, so this is why there is not many voters today," said voter Saleh Al Harbi.
While the Saudi king announced on Sunday that women can vote and stand for office in future elections, for now, they cannot participate in the election as voters or candidates.
One voter indicated that he welcomed the future inclusion of women.
"If a woman runs in the next elections, I might possibly vote for her if I know her orientations, if she plays an effective role in society and serves the community, why not? She is half of society," said voter Ibrahim Al Sharidah.
Women are excluded, officials say, due to logistical difficulties in maintaining strict rules on gender segregation.
According to the king they will vote in the next poll in 2015. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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