Saudi Arabia Elections Without Women

Saudi Arabia holds its municipal elections without the participation of women

Recently it was announced that women will vote within 4 years.

Election day was conducted without notable incident.

Women shall be entitled to vote in Saudi Arabia after their king so decide.

Saudi Arabia held on Thursday the second elections in its history to elect municipal councils, with a low voter turnout and without the participation of women, who may not vote for another four years. The Saudi authorities said that the election day was uneventful , although there were some observers who gave up their work and make allegations of sending messages to urge to vote for certain candidates participation in these elections, which had registered as voters under a million and a half men, which represents 35% of the voting population, was uneven across regions. While the polling stations in the main cities were no crowds, the turnout was more intense in medium-sized cities. The weak participation was expected due to the lack of confidence in decision-making powers of municipal councils, which responsible for providing recommendations and advice without any power of censorship or control in the internal affairs of the country, ruled by a monarchy with absolute power. Other factors that have affected are the low proportion of residents with voting rights and the prohibition for women , historically marginalized in this country ultraconservative imposed gender segregation in public spaces. Although the past 25 days Saudi King Abdallah bin Abdelaziz , decided to allow women to participate as voters and candidates in municipal elections, this does not apply until the next election in four years. The Minister of Local Government and Villages Saudi Prince Mansour bin Metaab, told reporters that the elections are conducted correctly. Metaab recalled that the first municipal elections in 2005, they turned to the U.S. experience, European countries and the UN, but on this occasion was not necessary. "The (election) is now made entirely with hand Saudis and involving more than 16,000 people and trained people, "he said during an inspection of the electoral process in the Al Darai, near Riyadh.

Not until 2016

He said that his ministry receives comments from the public and the media and expressed his hope that these "proposals to improve the work of municipal councils . " Although the authorities that affect the day passed without incident, there were allegations of sending text messages to mobile phones urging voters to choose and discriminate against certain lists other for religious reasons. A member of the Electoral Commission of Jeddah Abdelaziz Anhari stressed that "this kind of practice is forbidden by Saudi law" and said claims that the committee discuss the matter on Saturday. The absence of international observers was justified by the Electoral Commission Chairman, the Dahmesh Abdelrrahman, who said he has been employed freelancers Saudis "to ensure transparency and good organization of this operation."

Women to vote in Saudi Arabia

Women shall be entitled to vote in Saudi Arabia after their king so decide

The women may participate in the 2015 municipal elections as voters and candidates.

King Abdullah bin Abdelaziz appealed to the Muslim woman has had "positions that can not be marginalized."

Saudi Arabia is the only state in the Gulf Cooperation Council Persian does not allow female participation.

The king of Saudi Arabia , Abdullah bin Abdelaziz, has decided on Sunday to allow the inclusion of women in the Shura Council (consultative) and participate in municipal elections in four years, both as voters and as candidates.

Saudi Arabia held its first elections in 2005, and women may participate in the 2015 The monarch made the announcement in a speech to the Shura Council, a sort of Parliament, although no legislative powers.

"Everyone knows that Muslim women in Islamic history has been our position that can not be marginalized , as well as for his good opinion as good reference, since the era of the prophet, "said Bin Abdelaziz, according to news agency State SPA.

The new king's provisions will affect local elections next Thursday, in which women do not participate, like in 2005, the first held in the country.

As for the Shura Council, appointed directly by the king, women have never participated since its inception in 1992.

In fact, Saudi Arabia is the only state in the Gulf Cooperation Council Persian integrated by Emirates, Oman, Tasting, Baréin and Kuwait with an advisory council which is not allowed female participation.

In the absence of a parliament elected by the people, the Advisory Council are responsible for providing recommendations and advice in the internal affairs of the kingdom, but have no power of censorship or government control.

The riots in other countries encouraged women to protest their situation, and some driving ban defied Saudi Arabia is ruled by a monarchy with absolute power and it applies a strict interpretation of sharia, or Islamic law, which imposes segregation sex in public places. Women can not drive nor travel abroad without a male relative, among other restrictions.

However, in recent months, and the heat of the Arab spring, the Saudis have participated in several protests, the largest on 17 June, when several activists defied the ban on driving and dared to drive their cars.

On August 24, police detained the activist Mayla Hariri challenge that ban in the city of Jeddah in western Saudi Arabia.

International organizations such as Amnesty International have urged the authorities of the kingdom to stop treating women as second class citizens and were granted rights .