Citizens Explain Why They Did Not Register as Voters

JEDDAH/ MADINAH, 25 March 2005 — Many Saudis across the age spectrum did not register their names as voters during the one-month long enumeration period which ended last week. Reasons for their failure to do so vary from sheer laziness through lack of understanding to matters of principle.

“I decided not to participate in the election process,” said Ahmad Ali, a 25-year-old university student. “I do not know what benefit that I would get from the election. I heard from my friends that the elections are a waste of time.”

Ali thought that as it was the first time for elections to be held in our country, there was nothing in it for him. He did not see what anyone would gain from it. He blamed the lack of an awareness campaign that explained the real meaning of elections and their goals. “That is why I and many other friends decided not to participate in it.”

Khalil Al-Theyabi, who is in the military, told Arab News that he could not register his vote according to the under the election laws.

“We are not allowed to travel outside the Kingdom unless it is necessary, which I can understand because of the nature of work. What I cannot understand is why we cannot participate in this unique experience. This is a democratic operation that we should participate in to develop the country.”

Ahmad Al-Zahrani, high school teacher, who did not register his vote, said that it was simply because he did not have time.

He thought that next time round, the election workers should come to schools and register us and return the next day with our card as a service to people “if they want the election process to succeed.”

Meantime, in Madinah, Badi Al-Tamimi did not register his vote because he was too lazy to do it.

“ I kept delaying it day after day until it was too late to register votes,” he said.

“I wish I did it earlier and use my vote in the development process of the country. I thought that I would have enough time to do it, but it turned out that I was too late.”

Ali Saadi, a Saudi working in Dubai, said he could not register his vote because he was outside the Kingdom. “I was hoping that we could register in our countries’ embassies or consulates in the UAE.”