JEDDAH, 28 March 2005 — As many as 523 candidates have filed their nominations seeking election to the Municipal Council in Jeddah, according to the preliminary list released by the local election supervisory committee.
The list was endorsed by the committee headed by Mayor Adel Faqeeh. The list, released by Faqeeh after a meeting of the local body, was finalized on Saturday afternoon.
Apart from Jeddah, the cities of Taif, Rabigh and Khulais also released their first lists. The final list, after scrutiny, will be published on April 9. Elections are scheduled for April 21.
The number of candidates making it to the preliminary list in Taif is 484 with Taif city recording 279 candidates and the rest of Taif region 205.
The breakup of candidates who entered the fray in Jeddah is:
In the first constituency that includes Tuwal, Dahban, Asfan and Breman — 50, second (Obhur and New Jeddah) — 122, third (Airport Area) — 119, fourth (Aziziah and Sharafiya) — 85, fifth (Balad) — 27, sixth (Jamia and Umm Al-Salam) — 69 and seventh (Khozam and Southern Areas) — 51.
Forty-eight people have been endorsed in the preliminary list in Khulais while there are 55 candidates listed in Rabigh.
Citizens seeking election to the councils must be a Saudi by birth or if naturalized must have been a citizen for at least 10 years. He must be at least 25 years old and must live permanently in the municipality during his term of office.
People who have a criminal record or have served time in prison are not eligible to register.
