SAUDI ARABIA: CAPITAL JEDDAH PREPARES FOR LAST STAGE OF LANDMARK MUNICIPAL SAUDI ELECTIONS
Record ID:
189786
SAUDI ARABIA: CAPITAL JEDDAH PREPARES FOR LAST STAGE OF LANDMARK MUNICIPAL SAUDI ELECTIONS
- Title: SAUDI ARABIA: CAPITAL JEDDAH PREPARES FOR LAST STAGE OF LANDMARK MUNICIPAL SAUDI ELECTIONS
- Date: 19th April 2005
- Summary: (BN09) JEDDAH, SAUDI ARABIA (APRIL 19, 2005) (REUTERS) 1. VARIOUS OF JEDDAH STREETS AND CAMPAIGN POSTERS (5 SHOTS) 0.38 (NIGHT) 2. VARIOUS EXTERIORS OF CANDIDATES' TENT (2 SHOTS) 0.54 3. (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) KAMAL ALASLANY, VOTER, SAYING: "Honestly the experience of this election has been successful. Of course, there's no doubt there have been good and bad points, but that's natural because this is the first time we do something like this in our country." 1.06 4. WS: INTERIOR OF TENT AS MEN BEGIN TO SIT 1.16 5. (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) KHALID MOHAMED ALNASRY, CANDIDATE, SAYING: "There are several problems that made me want to run specifically in the Jeddah elections: pollution, shortcomings in the administration, the lack of planning in the spread of the city of Jeddah and the random districts, catering to people with special needs, the lack of interest of many qualified people in voluntary work and civil society, and finally the misbehaving of some people on the street. This first effort is a good one and I hope the results will be positive." 2.07 6. VARIOUS OF INTERIOR OF TENT AS ALNASRY SPEAKS (2 SHOTS) 2.24 7. WIDE OF YELLOW SIGN OUTSIDE TENT READING "TOWARDS A BETTER FUTURE" 2.29 Initials Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved
- Embargoed: 4th May 2005 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: JEDDAH, SAUDI ARABIA
- Country: Saudi Arabia
- Reuters ID: LVAD4DY5YCWTHDOQJBAX5GKYI2VH
- Story Text: Jeddah prepares for the last stage of municipal
Saudi elections.
The streets of Jeddah are unusually adorned with
posters of candidates for Saudi Arabia's final phase of
landmark municipal elections set for April 21st.
In one part of the city, election candidate, Khalid
Mohamed Alnasry has set up a tent to rally supporters for
nightly discussions.
A young Saudi voter attending Alnasry's tent on Tuesday
(April 19) was hopeful of the landmark process.
"Honestly the experience of this election has been
successful. Of course, there's no doubt there have been
good and bad points, but that's natural because this is the
first time we do something like this in our country," said
Kamal Alaslany.
Alnasry says he has joined the race to address what he
believes are serious civic problems specific to Jeddah.
"Pollution, shortcomings in the administration, the
lack of planning in the spread of the city of Jeddah and
the random districts, catering to people with special
needs, the lack of interest of many qualified people in
voluntary work and civil society, and finally the
misbehaving of some people on the street," he said.
Alnasry said he hoped that the election results would
be "positive".
Tents like Alnasry's have been set up all over Jeddah
in the run-up to the elections, offering a chance to hear
and discuss the various candidates views and platforms.
The polls are part of a cautious program of reform
introduced by de facto ruler Crown Prince Abdullah, who has
faced growing calls for change from domestic activists and
Saudi Arabia's main ally, the United States.
Critics say the elections are largely a cosmetic response to
reform demands. But diplomats say the vote will at least
create a mechanism for Saudis to channel concerns
and complaints.
Voters are deciding just half the members of municipal
councils whose powers are likely to be limited. The other
council members will be appointed.
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