Municipal elections were held across Saudi Arabia on Saturday. This is the third time elections are been held in Saudi Arabia after the elections held in 2005 and 2011. Saudi Arabia is ruled by a monarchy, which is a plausible reason why they have only held elections thrice in their history. It also represents the first time women were allowed to vote and be voted for in the Kingdom. About 130,000 women were registered to vote, a number far below that of the men (about 1.5million men) while about 978 women ran for office. At least 18 of the female candidates were elected into local government seats; a number that represents about 10 percent of the total available seats. This development is an indication of a major breakthrough in the women rights movement in Saudi Arabia.
According to some, it is “opening the door to evil”
In 2011, the Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia said that getting women involved in politics was “opening the door to evil.” This was prior to when the late King Abdullah appointed women into his council of advisers. The Grand Mufti called it a “suffrage movement that is a machination of the enemies of Islam”. It is unclear if his views have changed.
Saudi Arabia is last in place
Prior to Saturday’s elections, Saudi Arabia was the last country in the world to involve women in politics. This is a welcome development and a clear indication that Saudi Arabia is ready to budge, albeit a little, on its stand on female participation in politics. However, it could also be a political move on the part of Saudi Arabia, considering it is now the head of the United Nations Human Rights Council.
Turnout was very low
Just 47 percent of registered voters actually voted – about 600,000 of 1.35 million men and 106,000 of 130,000 women – in a country with a population of about 20 million people. Those who shunned the election believe that power still rests with the royal family, the religious leaders and men, and that the election was superficial.
Women are still not equal to men
Though this election is a bold step for women inclusion in Saudi Arabia, it does not mean that women have equal rights as men in the kingdom. Most of the women who ran for office, did so on campaign promises of more nurseries for day cares, building parks, and better garbage collection, without addressing significant democratic issues like human rights, punishment under the Sharia law, and the likes. Many of the female candidates were not allowed to campaign directly with the opposite gender, and had to do so through social media.
A promise is fulfilled
Before the late King Abdullah died, he promised that there would be more involvement for women in politics. He appointed women as advisers despite opposition from many quarters. Although King Abdullah died in January this year, it is refreshing to know that the new conservative King Salman has followed in his steps by allowing women to vote and be voted for.
