JEDDAH, 30 January 2005 — Eleven of 18 district chiefs (umdas) in the Riyadh region have decided to appeal against a decision that bars them from contesting municipal elections, which are scheduled to start on Feb. 10.

Some umdas, who have nominated themselves as candidates in the first-ever nationwide civic polls, said they would continue their campaigning in the hope that the Election Commission would revoke the decision.

Dhaafi Faqeehi, the district chief of Manfuha, said there was no justification to prevent umdas from contesting elections as their activities are closely related to municipal services.

The Election Commission announced a decision on Thursday barring governors, mayors, district chiefs and their deputies from contesting municipal elections or being nominated to municipal councils “because of their duties for the state and the nature of their jobs.”

The announcement was made by Muhammad Al-Nigadi, a spokesman of the Election Commission.

“These officials, who are vested with powers and rights, may not be able to safeguard the interests of the prospective candidates in their respective areas,” said Al-Nigadi. He said the ban would apply to all regions and districts in the country.

But Faqeehi said the reasons given for banning umdas from contesting elections were contrary to the facts.

The 11 disgruntled umdas recently met at the house of Sultan Al-Otaibi, the umda of Casablanca district, to discuss how to overcome the decision that denies them the right to contest polls.

Faqeehi said there is no similarity between the activities of umdas and governors. “How can they ban us from contesting elections after accepting our nominations,” he asked.

According to Ahmad Al-Otaibi, the umda of Areeja and Wadi Laban districts, Prince Mansour ibn Miteb, the chief election officer, had allowed district chiefs to register as candidates.

Al-Otaibi said the ban came as a big surprise as most umdas in the region had been mustering support for their candidacy during the past two months. There are 698 umdas across the Kingdom.