Okaz/Saudi Gazette

 

HAIL — The Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs is expecting women to participate in the next city council elections.

 

The ministry said nominations from women are expected in all of the Kingdom’s 285 city councils and 855 election centers. In preparation, the ministry has set regulations so that the religious standards and expectations of the Kingdom are adhered to.

 

 

The ministry ordered all its municipalities to have a separate entrance to their buildings for women, a section for women equipped with the appropriate facilities such as offices, restrooms, and lounges and an open meetings room for both men and women to hold council meetings.

 

The Minister of Municipal and Rural Affairs Mansour Bin Miteb urged all governors and mayors to begin implementing the regulations immediately. He said: “The ministry is currently looking into providing new buildings for city councils appropriate and comfortable for female members.

 

“But since the next elections are nearing, we will just settle for renovating the current buildings to conform to the new regulations so women can participate in the elections.”

 

The minister added that the decision to include women in the next elections was recommended and approved by the Council of Ministers.

 

He said: “The new city councils will be responsible for planning and execution of municipalities’ projects and the maintenance, operation, development, and investment of these projects.

 

“Each city council will consist of 30 members only.

 

A third will be elected and a third will be appointed by the minister.

“In both cases, there will be no gender discrimination or limitations.”

 

He finally added that elections are usually organized and conducted by non-profit independent national societies to ensure transparency and fairness.