JEDDAH, 13 August 2004 — Public awareness campaigns for the forthcoming municipal elections will start in the lunar month of Shaaban (September), according to Abdullah Muhammad Al-Subail, a member of the general election committee.
He said the rules and regulations of the elections, which are to be conducted in three phases after Ramadan to elect half the members of 178 municipal councils, were prepared in consultation with international experts.
“The Municipal and Rural Affairs Ministry plans to launch an intensive election campaign in the months of Shaaban and Ramadan (September and October),” Al-Yaum Arabic daily quoted Al-Subail as saying.
The campaign, using electronic and print media, is aimed at providing all related information to the public, he said, adding that it will first focus on the Riyadh region.
He said the ministry would not show any partiality or bias toward a particular candidate.
As per the rules and regulations issued by the ministry, all Saudis 21 years or above, except military men, can take part in the elections. He said there was no delay in issuing the regulations.
Subail said he expects tremendous development in municipal activities in the coming years after the setting up of elected municipal councils.
“The ministry is in the process of bringing about total organizational and administrative reforms, and the formation of civic councils are a positive step toward improving municipal services,” he added.
The first phase of elections will be held in the Riyadh region in November. The second phase, to be conducted before the Haj season, will cover the Eastern Province as well as Asir, Baha, Jizan and Najran regions. The third phase covering the regions of Makkah, Madinah, Qasim, Al-Jouf, the Northern Border Region, Tabuk and Hail will be held after the Haj.
Asked about the total number of constituencies, Subail said constituencies would be formulated on the basis of demography. He indicated that some municipalities, schools and public institutions would be used as polling stations.
The authorities wanted the elections to be fair and transparent and warned the public against using mosques and public institutions for election propaganda.
