RIYADH, 12 December 2004 — Riyadh Governor Prince Salman emphasized yesterday that Saudi Arabia would go ahead with its reform programs in order to enhance the welfare and progress of its citizens. Speaking to reporters after registering his name for upcoming municipal elections at the Polling Station No. 60 in Maader, the governor called upon all citizens to register as voters.
“Participating in the municipal vote is the right of every citizen in the Kingdom,” he said. “There is no compulsion in the vote. Citizens have been given the freedom of choice,” he added. He said the nationwide municipal vote, which is to start on Feb. 10 to pick half the members of 176 municipal councils, is an extension of the elections held in 1984. He said the election would strengthen municipal councils.
Prince Miteb, minister of municipal and rural affairs, also registered his name in the same center. He was greeted on arrival at the polling station by Riyadh Mayor Prince Abdul Aziz ibn Muhammad ibn Ayaf Al-Muqrin.
Prince Miteb said the election process was going ahead smoothly as planned. He commended the efforts being made by election committees in various parts of the Kingdom to make the voting a resounding success. However, the minister urged all officials to work hard to ensure a free and fair vote during the three phases of the election.
There is 30 percent increase in allocations made for municipalities in 2005 fiscal budget, Prince Miteb said and urged municipal officials to make use of the SR10 billion fund for the development of the sector.
Many Saudi dignitaries have so far registered as voters for the historic elections. They include Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal, Saudi Ambassador to the United Kingdom Prince Turki Al-Faisal, Assistant Minister for Defense and Aviation Prince Khaled ibn Sultan, businessman Prince Alwaleed ibn Talal and Education Minister Dr. Muhammad Al-Rasheed.
The Municipal Affairs Ministry has set up 140 polling stations in various parts of the Riyadh region, where the elections will take place first. Voting in the second round, which covers the eastern and southwestern regions, will take place on March 3. Saudis in the western regions of Makkah and Madinah, as well as northern regions, will vote on April 21.
Prince Mansour ibn Miteb, chairman of the general election committee, yesterday met with officials in charge of elections in Makkah, Madinah, Qasim, Hail, Tabuk, Al-Jouf and the Northern Region. “Elections all over the Kingdom will be held with complete transparency,” he added.
UN election expert Dr. Ali Al-Jarbawi commended the Saudi government for making elaborate preparations for the polls. “Saudi Arabia has achieved remarkable success in the first phase of its election process,” said Jarbawi, who arrived in the Kingdom in July along with a team of UN experts to monitor preparations for the polls.
Jarbawi said the one-month period allowed by the authorities for voter registration was enough for all eligible voters to sign up. He expressed the hope that more people would turn out in the coming days to register.
