Khaled Rabah Al-Harbi, executive director of an investment company, said he did not know where to go to cast his vote.

“I don’t know whether I should go to the polling station or the nearest election committee to cast my vote. I prefer the last one as it saves time for me,” he said.

Khaled Al-Osaimi, an employee at the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, is taking part in municipal elections for the first time.

“I don’t know whether I can vote for many candidates or only one candidate,” he said.

Al-Osaimi also wanted to know whether the municipal elections would be similar to chamber of commerce elections or whether it would be a different experience.

Hamad bin Saad Al-Omar, a member of the general election committee, acknowledged that voters have raised several questions related to electoral procedures despite the public awareness campaigns carried out by election authorities.

He said a large number of youths have registered as voters for the first time and they naturally would have a lot of questions.

“We are receiving questions from not only voters but also from candidates, especially those in remote areas away from the cities,” Al-Omar said.

He said most questions are related to practical matters, such as which papers and documents voters have to bring when casting their votes and who will be present at polling booths during the election process.

According to Election Commissioner Abdul Rahman Al-Dahmash, polling will start at 8 a.m. and continue until 5 p.m. on Thursday. Candidates have been told to stop campaigning by 12.30 p.m. on Wednesday.

“Candidates have to remove all their publicity materials from roads and public places before polling,” Al-Omar said. Public relations firms, printing presses and other institutions that take part in a candidate’s campaign should also remove all such publicity materials.

“Candidates are not allowed to make any radio or television or press statements on the eve of the elections in order to ensure transparency and fairness,” Al-Omar said.

Jedaie Al-Qahtani, spokesman of the Election Commission, said voters should produce their ID cards at the time of casting ballots. Other documents such as a driving license or work permit will not be accepted.

Candidates or their agents will be allowed to be present at the polling booths while voting goes on or while the votes are counted.