Abdullah Al-Muhammadi, the winner from Electoral District No. 3, had his result invalidated by the Municipal Elections Complaints Committee following accusations that their polling booth was shifted to a new place without warning.

However, the Court of Grievances upheld an appeal by Al-Muhammadi and reaffirmed his electoral victory on Oct, 25.

The court also pointed out in its letter to the mayor that its verdict was not challenged by anyone within the prescribed time allotted and so the verdict is binding on the municipality.

Over the past two months, since the declaration of the results of the municipal elections on Oct. 25, the Jeddah municipality has had no council. The municipality has been waiting for the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs’ endorsement of the court verdict.

Minister of Municipal and Rural Affairs Prince Mansour bin Miteb said during a recent visit to the municipality that the verdict of the Administrative Court was final. He also said Al-Muhammadi’s name figured in the list of winners formally announced by the mayor.

However, Al-Muhammadi, who won with 381 votes out of a total of 700 votes cast in the polling, told Arab News that he was awaiting the official letter of the ministry endorsing his membership in the council. “So far I did not receive any communication from the ministry on the matter. I hope the matter will be settled without delay,” he said.

While seven of the 14 council members are elected members, the remainder are nominated.

The other elected members in the council are Bassam Akhdar, Abdul Aziz Al-Sorae, Khaled Bajammal, Fouad Mirdad, Maher Al-Harbi and Abdullah Al-Turkistani.