Nod for Saudi women to contest, vote in municipal council polls

The Saudi Council of Ministers approved late Monday the Law of Municipal Councils that grants women equal rights with men to vote and contest municipal elections.

In a statement to the Saudi Press Agency following the session, Minister of Culture and Information Dr. Abdulaziz Khoja said that the Cabinet took the decision after reviewing a report presented by Minister of Municipal and Rural Affairs and a Shoura Council decision.

The councils will have not more than 30 members, including two-third of elected members and one-third nominated by the minister.

Dr. Khoja said the law stipulates that all eligible Saudi men and women have equal rights to participate in the municipal election process through voting and contest provided that they fulfill the required conditions.

It also grants the non-governmental non-profit independent national institutions and associations the right to monitor the elections in their capacity as independent bodies to guarantee transparency and fairness.