Saudi Arabia's first municipal elections in one year

Saudi Arabia has announced it will organize municipal elections within one year, a step which was described by observers as the first tangible political reform act in the Kingdom.

In its yesterday's session chaired by the King Fahd bin Abdul Aziz, the Saudi Cabinet yesterday approved the expansion of citizen's participation in running local affairs and this is to be through revitalizing municipal councils, on the ground that half members of each municipal council to be directly elected by citizens.

The Cabinet also called for sides concerned to complete organizational measures for these elections within a period not to exceed one year.

A statement made by the Saudi cabinet said that the decision comes as an implementation to what is stated in the speech of King Fahd in May in which he stressed the expansion of political participation for citizens in the context of the political and administrative inclination in the Kingdom.

In his speech made following the Riyadh explosions on May 12, the King vowed to expand the base of people's participation and to open up new prospects to recruit women in Saudi Arabia. The king also vowed to continue political and social reforms in his country and of fighting terrorism. He explained that this operation is not a result of foreign pressure.

This, however, come following repeated demands made by advocates of reform, intellectuals and academics for greater portion of political participation and of making elections and allowing freedom of expression in the country.

Worthy mentioning that there is a Shoura council in the Kingdom with its members appointed by the government. This council plays just a consultative role. No elections has ever been held in the history of the Kingdom.