lucky wilbury
11-21-2004, 01:17 PM
http://ap.tbo.com/ap/breaking/MGB560WGT1E.html
Saudi Gears Up for Municipal Elections, Voter Registration to Begin Tuesday
The Associated Press
Published: Nov 21, 2004
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (AP) - Saudi Arabia began preparing for its first nationwide elections, set for next year, and announced that voter registration would begin this week, state media reported on Sunday.
Registration will be held from Tuesday until Dec. 22, said Prince Abdul-Aziz bin Mohammed al-Moqrin, head of the elections supervisory committee in the capital, Riyadh, according to the Saudi Press Agency.
Women cannot participate in the elections.
The nationwide elections, set to begin in the capital Riyadh on Feb. 10, are part of the government's measured response to calls for political and social change.
The voting for the makeup of municipal councils would give Saudis the chance to participate - if only in a limited manner - in decision making. Saudi Arabia, an absolute monarchy, has an unelected Consultative Council that acts like a parliament. Political parties are banned and press freedoms are limited.
Al-Moqrin said those eligible to register must be over 21 and not a member of the military.
Around Riyadh, billboards were set up urging citizens to register.
"Participate in the decision-making. Your voice will not be heard unless you register," one of them read.
Al-Moqrin said 140 registration stations were set up in the capital, according to the agency.
He said authorities faced difficulties in preparing for the elections "because we don't have information and past experience about elections, and we don't know how acceptable they are to the public."
"The elections are a means to improve services and open a channel for citizens to participate with officials in taking and making decisions," al-Moqrin said.
Polling in the eastern and southwestern regions will follow the capital, starting March 3. Voters in northern parts of the country will vote April 21.
Saudi Arabia's only electoral experiences were some municipal polls held in a few cities in the 1960s. They did not cover the whole country, and their electoral rules and registration procedures did not conform to international standards. Women did not vote.
AP-ES-11-21-04 1209EST
Saudi Gears Up for Municipal Elections, Voter Registration to Begin Tuesday
The Associated Press
Published: Nov 21, 2004
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (AP) - Saudi Arabia began preparing for its first nationwide elections, set for next year, and announced that voter registration would begin this week, state media reported on Sunday.
Registration will be held from Tuesday until Dec. 22, said Prince Abdul-Aziz bin Mohammed al-Moqrin, head of the elections supervisory committee in the capital, Riyadh, according to the Saudi Press Agency.
Women cannot participate in the elections.
The nationwide elections, set to begin in the capital Riyadh on Feb. 10, are part of the government's measured response to calls for political and social change.
The voting for the makeup of municipal councils would give Saudis the chance to participate - if only in a limited manner - in decision making. Saudi Arabia, an absolute monarchy, has an unelected Consultative Council that acts like a parliament. Political parties are banned and press freedoms are limited.
Al-Moqrin said those eligible to register must be over 21 and not a member of the military.
Around Riyadh, billboards were set up urging citizens to register.
"Participate in the decision-making. Your voice will not be heard unless you register," one of them read.
Al-Moqrin said 140 registration stations were set up in the capital, according to the agency.
He said authorities faced difficulties in preparing for the elections "because we don't have information and past experience about elections, and we don't know how acceptable they are to the public."
"The elections are a means to improve services and open a channel for citizens to participate with officials in taking and making decisions," al-Moqrin said.
Polling in the eastern and southwestern regions will follow the capital, starting March 3. Voters in northern parts of the country will vote April 21.
Saudi Arabia's only electoral experiences were some municipal polls held in a few cities in the 1960s. They did not cover the whole country, and their electoral rules and registration procedures did not conform to international standards. Women did not vote.
AP-ES-11-21-04 1209EST