Abdullah Al-Dahhas and Hussam Kraidy Okaz/Saudi Gazette
MAKKAH/MADINAH — Voter registration for the third municipal elections began in Makkah and Madinah on Sunday, a week ahead of the other regions due to the arrival of Haj pilgrims in the two holy cities.
Mayor Osama Albar launched the process in Makkah's second constituency before touring five of the 10 constituencies that make up the holy city and its suburbs.
He said all the 47 voting centers, 30 for men and 17 for women, have been thoroughly prepared and have been linked electronically with the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs.
Voter registration will continue for 21 days in Makkah and Madinah. It will start on Sunday in all other parts of the Kingdom. Candidates' registration will run from Aug. 30 to Sept. 17.
Madinah, which also has 10 constituencies, has 32 voting centers consisting of 22 for men and 10 for women.
Overseeing the elections in Makkah are 12 men and 13 women, who will be touring the constituencies to document any violations by camera.
In total, there are 1,263 voting centers around the Kingdom, including 424 exclusively for women and 250 reserve centers to be used whenever necessary.
The maximum capacity of each center is 3,000 voters.
Saudi men and women will vote to elect members for two thirds of the 284 municipal councils, while the other third will be appointed by the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs.
In the previous two councils, half of the members were appointed by the ministry.
Every Saudi man or woman who is 18 years of age has the right to vote, provided that he or she is not in the military, or a municipal employee. Voters should present their original national identity cards and certificates showing their places of residence.
Candidates should not be less than 25 years of age and should be at least secondary school graduates.
The school certificate condition means more than 10 million Saudi men and women who did not complete secondary school education are not eligible to run as candidates in the municipal council elections.
Voting will start at 8 a.m. on Dec. 12 and will continue until 5 p.m. The results will be announced the following day.
