900 Saudi women running for office



RIYADH: -- With less than two weeks until voting gets underway in Saudi Arabia, campaigning by women taking part in elections for the first time is in full swing.

It will be the first polls since the 2011 decision by late Saudi King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz to grant women the right to vote and run for office in the ultra-conservative country. Women will be selected as members of the next Shoura Council, the appointed body that advises the government on new laws.

“We have been waiting to be given this opportunity for the last 10 years. Ten years as ladies to participate in the political and social decision-making in the country,” local municipal electoral candidate Dr Fawzeya Al-Harbi told Reuters.

She is one of about 900 women running for office. The vote, to be held on December 12, is expected to attract around 1.7 million voters from various regions in the country.

“It was difficult in the past to communicate with men, but with the presence of a woman now, I can speak to her directly and raise my demands with her. This makes things more comfortable,” said Aum Fahad, a local resident.

Women in Saudi Arabia are still barred from driving and must seek the approval of a male “guardian” to work, travel abroad, open a bank account or undergo surgery in some cases.

Campaigning for the election has been difficult, candidates say, because women have to limit the amount of time they spend with men they are not related to. Al-Harbi has taken to social media platforms to elevate her profile.

Municipal councils are the only elected bodies in the kingdom. They handle local matters, such as zoning changes, and until now the portion that wasn’t appointed was elected by men only.

Reuters

-- (c) Copyright Euronews 2015-12-01

How are they going to know whos who?

' Running ' for office yes but not driving I'll bet.

I pick the third one from the left. She is beautiful.

If elected will they have to be accompanied to the council meetings by a male member of the family and get his permission to vote ?

I pick the third one from the left. She is beautiful.

The ' eyes ' have it !

I pick the third one from the left. She is beautiful.

Do they take selfies in Saudi?

It will only work if the men allow their wives to vote.

It will be interesting to see what the female voter turnout will be. At least it's a start toward moderation which is sadly lacking in this part of the world.

Inappropriate post removed.

If elected will they have to be accompanied to the council meetings by a male member of the family and get his permission to vote ?

Exactly. I worked in the Tragic Kingdom for ten years, most recently 2009-2015. Ghalas now. Saudi women are generally treated well, as long as they know their place, which is to stay home and shuffle around in their $500 slippers and fiddle with the air conditioning. Running for office? Window dressing. Running for the malls (during the few hours they're actually open) is more like it.

Imagine what their election posters will look like.

Okay, hands up all those convicted of theft in Saudi Arabia.........................

How are they going to know whos who?

I was told "we look at their shoes".

If elected will they have to be accompanied to the council meetings by a male member of the family and get his permission to vote ?

Exactly. I worked in the Tragic Kingdom for ten years, most recently 2009-2015. Ghalas now. Saudi women are generally treated well, as long as they know their place, which is to stay home and shuffle around in their $500 slippers and fiddle with the air conditioning. Running for office? Window dressing. Running for the malls (during the few hours they're actually open) is more like it.

This whole country will get a big wake up call in about 5 years, when the oil money runs out. Oil is at less then $50/ barrel. With all the social programs they have, they need oil at $ 80/ barrel. They have a ton of oil; but they need a higher price. This will be the next Arab spring location. No oil money, No $ 500 slippers. They don't work; because the government had the money to pay them to stay home. When money for social programs stop; the people will say that we need a new government ( non royal).

How are they going to know whos who?

Retinal scanner.

How are they going to know whos who?

Retinal scanner.

Through a full Burka?

How are they going to know whos who?

Retinal scanner.

I must learn to read carefully. I almost removed your post. I thought you wrote rectal scanner.

How are they going to know whos who?

Retinal scanner.

I must learn to read carefully. I almost removed your post. I thought you wrote rectal scanner.

Why remove a post for that? If it is proved that everyone's sphincter print is different it could help law enforcement.