RIYADH – The upcoming municipal council polls in the Kingdom will be a different experience in form and content compared to the two previous elections, according to the chairman of the election executive committee. Speaking at a press conference at the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs on Tuesday, Judaie Bin Nahar Al-Qahtani stressed the importance of participating in the elections. He urged all citizens to register for voting as the deadline is drawing closer. He said the municipal councils were granted wider powers and financial and administrative independence with the objective of giving a greater role to citizens in making decisions on many issues related to their daily lives. Al-Qahtani said it was difficult for the municipalities to provide services in cities and villages and determine people's needs without knowing their views and problems. Under the new regulations governing local bodies the municipal councils have powers to monitor the performance of municipalities. He said the number of elected members in the councils would be two thirds instead of half in the previous councils. The age of voting has been brought down from 21 to 18 years to enable more youths to exercise the franchise. Women will also participate as voters and candidates. — SPA
