Mariam Al-Sagheer Okaz/Saudi Gazette RIYADH — The city council elections for 2015 will have women candidates and start on Aug. 22. Riyadh Municipality's Women Services General Manager Haifa Al-Nassar said the elections would start in August and end on Dec. 13. She said: “In August, the nomination process will begin and candidates will get to campaign for their votes on Nov. 29. “They will have 12 days for campaigning until Dec. 10. “To cancel a nomination, candidates will have the chance to do that from Sept. 30 until Nov. 29.” She added women's participation in the current city council elections would be of benefit in the development of society. She said: “It is our duty as Saudi women to participate in the election. We are blessed with the natural skill of strategic thinking. “We have applied our skill in managing our households and now we are applying it to manage our communities.” She added there are 85 out of 250 centers under the municipality's management that are dedicated to women's issues. “I encourage all citizens to be active in the coming elections. “The municipality has a special hotline for all inquiries related to elections. “You may call it at 940. “Citizens are allowed to vote from the age of 18 and the municipality is currently working on introducing election programs to children in schools in order to educate them about the matter.” She also said the municipality is considering communicating with the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Endowments, Call and Guidance to announce the elections in mosques. “A candidate wishing to run in the elections must be over 24 years old with a high school diploma. “The council does not require the candidate to have any higher academic degrees or specific training certificates.” She also said the municipality made sure the elections are run according to Shariah and Islamic regulations. She said: “All men and women candidates are not allowed to print their photos on their flyers and posters. “The voting booths are easily reached and situated in accessible locations. “The municipality is refraining from opening the door to vote online to avoid any calculation mistakes or system glitches that could affect the vote count.” She added all candidates are treated equally at the city council regardless of gender. “A third of the council is elected and a third is chosen by the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs. “In both cases, men and women are assessed equally with no discrimination. “As long as the candidate meets the mentioned requirements and does not have any criminal records, the candidate is treated equally.” She added there are those who cannot nominate themselves for city council elections. “They are employees at the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs, employees at any related directorate, judges, public notaries, governors, members of the Bureau of Investigation and Public Prosecution, Shoura Council members, election committee members, and others.”
