RIYADH, 11 February 2005 — Voters turned out in droves yesterday as Saudi Arabia took the first step on the road to reforms by holding the first-ever municipal elections.

“This is a stepping stone for democracy, and voters feel that they have their rights to send their representative to the council to represent people’s interests,” said Waleed Al-Swaidan, chairman of the Saudi Arabian National Recruitment Committee (SANARCOM).

Al-Swaidan, who was re-elected chairman of SANARCOM last week, said the people’s interest in the election process was demonstrated by their early arrivals at the polling stations.

“Some of those who didn’t register at the election offices feel out of place today since they realize that they lost their opportunity to exercise their civil rights,” Al-Swaidan told Arab News. He said he believed the situation would improve in future polls, however.

Based on anecdotal experience, Al-Swaidan noted the electors were elated with the value of the vote.

“They feel they can control the municipal council through their elected representatives,” said Omar Abdul Aziz Al-Moallim, observing the present elections will have a major impact on all Saudis, including men, women and children.

Each voter was given seven votes to elect a candidate from each of the seven districts. Although it was a secret ballot, Al-Moallim said he cast his ballots for seven contestants who pledged to serve the nation’s youth by assisting them in constructing houses and forming youth societies to organize community activities.

Before casting his votes, Al-Moallim consulted his personal constituency — his wife — regarding the selection of candidates for yesterday’s polls.

“The polls have triggered the democratic process in the Kingdom,” said Ibrahim Al-Ghannas, a board member of the Al-Hilal Club. He said the elections give people a chance to take part in the evolution of democracy.

“The election is for the whole of Riyadh, capital of Saudi Arabia, and I hope the voters cast their ballots, without fear or favor, for the greater good of the citizens,” Al-Ghannas said.

“The election is the dawn of democracy in the Kingdom,” said Muhammad Al-Otaiby of the Sociology Department of the King Saud University. “A democratic nation cannot be built in a day; this is only the beginning, and Saudis should be thankful for the opportunity to participate.”

Although candidates were not directly canvassing, Al-Otaiby recalled newspapers gave the voters comprehensive information about the campaigners and their platforms, which enabled the voters to make intelligent decisions in their choice of candidates.

“It’s a good start. The journey to democracy has begun, and we are all taking part in the first-ever elections of the Kingdom,” said Muhammad S. Al-Jodhi, deputy general manager for Central Operations and Information Technology. The banker came to vote for two candidates he knew personally.

“Although the election campaign lasted for two weeks, neither did a candidate approach me nor did I get any SMS from any of them,” Jodhi said, adding that he would not vote for the candidates who he did not know.

Omran Al-Omran said the wait for democracy has ended with this elections and added that it will be a matter of time to gradually step into a country where people will have a say in government affairs.

Al-Omran said he did his homework before coming to the polling booth, since the list of candidates on the ballot was too long to read and decide on the spot.

Muhammad Al-Dossary, a businessman in the Nasseeriah district, said the concept of democracy is now here. “Those elected will work for the people and endeavor to streamline the activities of the council,” he said, adding that the campaign pledges were so promising that the electors should expect a lot from their elected officials.

“Let’s hope for the best,” Al-Dossary said.

Hamad Al-Kabbah, retired government servant, said: “I am very happy that Saudi citizens have at last got an opportunity to participate in the Kingdom’s first municipal elections. I hope that next time there will be elections for the Shoura Council on the same basis-half to be elected and half to be appointed.