JEDDAH, 13 February 2005 — A leading Shoura Council member yesterday called on voters in Jeddah to make the best of the forthcoming municipal elections by turning out in large numbers.
Muhammad Abdulkareem Bakr said elections were the ideal way of expanding popular participation in the decision-making process.
Making a presentation on the April 21 elections in Jeddah and other areas of the Western Province, Bakr called upon all eligible Saudi voters to register themselves and cast their ballots on election day.
“All eyes are on us,” Bakr said and highlighted the historic and economic importance of Jeddah.
Registration of voters in Jeddah will start on Tuesday, Bakr said, adding that the process would continue for a month. Registration of candidates contesting the elections will take place from March 20 and continue until March 24.
He said election campaign in Jeddah would start on April 9 and continue until April 20. The voting will take place on Thursday, April 21.
Bakr commended the efforts made by the government in organizing the elections in various parts of the country. The first phase of elections took place in the Riyadh region on Feb. 10.
“We must make use of this opportunity given by the state to participate in the management and organization of all matters related to municipal services in our cities,” said Bakr, who holds a master’s degree from the University of Stanford in the United States.
He said there is a lot to be done by a municipal council member including monitoring of revenues and expenditures, management of municipal resources and supervision of municipal activities. The council will also prepare the municipality’s budget, set out its executive bylaws and draft its development plans.
