History is being made in Saudi Arabia, as women running for public office are beginning their campaigns for the local elections to be held on December 12. This will be the first time women are allowed to stand in elections, as well as vote, in the conservative Kingdom. It is certainly being seen as a big step forward for country which does not allow women to drive.
There are thought to be around 865 women running alongside thousands of men, with 284 council seats up for grabs. Unfortunately, there are still restrictions being placed on these women, for example they are not allowed to hold rallies attended by men. They are, however, allowed to have a male spokesperson speak for them at male-dominated events.
One female candidate, Aljazi al-Hossaini, told AFP that she tried to set up a campaign tent in Riyadh’s Diriyah area but was refused permission by the man responsible for the land.
Most women candidates are expected to use the Internet to promote themselves in the campaign given the difficulty in using other means.
Neither men nor women are allowed to display their pictures in public during the campaigning time.
Around 130,000 women have registered to vote, according to figures, which is a far cry from the 1.35 million men who have done so. Municipal elections held in 2005 and 2011 were male-only, making December’s election a moment for the history books in the Kingdom.
