First Woman Councillor Elected In Saudi Arabia

Saudi women leave a polling station in Riyadh after counting their votes (Image credits: www.theguardian.com)

For the first time in Saudi Arabia, a woman has won an election after the kingdom lifted its ban on women’s participation in politics and polls.

Salma bint Hizab al-Oteibi won a seat on the municipal council in Mecca province in Saturday’s vote.

Channels TV report continues:

Reports also suggested that women have also won in several other regions in the country, including Jeddah and Qatif.

It was the first election where women were allowed to vote and stand as candidates, and is being viewed as a landmark in the conservative kingdom.

However, women in Saudi Arabia still face other public restrictions including driving.

Officials said that a total of 978 women registered as candidates, alongside 5,938 men.

About 130,000 women had registered to vote in Saturday’s poll, compared with 1.35 million men.

For the first time in Saudi Arabia, a woman has won an election after the kingdom lifted its ban on women’s participation in politics and polls.

Female candidates were also not allowed to address male voters directly during campaigning.

The decision to allow women to take part was taken by the late King Abdullah and is seen as a key part of his legacy.

In announcing the reforms, King Abdullah said women in Saudi Arabia “have demonstrated positions that expressed correct opinions and advice”.

Before he died in January, he appointed 30 women to the country’s top advisory Shura Council.

There were 2,100 council seats available in Saturday’s vote. An additional 1,050 seats were appointed with approval from the king.