They expect many of the voters to vote for the candidates from their tribes while eight percent said the tribe would not have any impact on the choice of candidates.

In another survey on the importance of young candidates contesting the elections, about 43 persons said they strongly support the election of young men to the councils while four persons said they did not support young men as members of the municipal council and six percent said they were neutral.

Meanwhile a number of candidates told Arab News that many of their fellow candidates had violated the rules of canvassing. They noted that some candidates posted their photos on lampposts and in public places, which is in violation of the rules. They said they were compiling the violations to file complaints if these candidates won.

Arab News also noted that some candidates took advantage of the National Day celebrations to hang their pictures and banners and also to appear in person in the areas where celebrations were held.

The media campaigns of the candidates began in Jeddah on Sunday. The canvassing will continue for 11 days until the day of voting. Unlike the first municipal elections, there were no tents, posters or big signboards as the candidates were prevented from doing so by the instructions from the Ministry of Rural and Municipal Affairs.

According to the instructions, candidates are prevented from using public or private radio and TV stations for their campaigns. They are also not allowed to use mobile messages, mosques, government buildings, sport and cultural clubs, schools and other public utilities for campaigning.

The instructions also prevented the candidates from cooperating with one another in their campaigns, appealing to tribes, or giving promises they would not be able to fulfill. “We are only allowed to visit the voters, organize debates and seminars, and use Internet,” a candidate said.

There are 344 candidates in Jeddah, of whom 120 will be competing for seven seats in the municipal council and 224 contesting the seats allotted to nearby towns and villages.