I bumped into one of my cousins the other day and it wasn’t long before we were discussing the upcoming municipal elections. He was very pessimistic about the whole thing, and made it plain that he was staying away from the polling booths.
I must admit that when the elections were first proposed, I was skeptical too. My cynicism was enhanced further when it was announced that half the seats would be up for election and the government would select the other half.
And while there was no immediate rejection of the role of women in these elections, it was soon announced that they were to be excluded.
That compounded my fading interest into this development, because if half our society was not going to take part in something that concerned us all, where then was the legitimacy of the process?
But after watching and hearing of the initial elections that took place in Riyadh and the central region, I began to have second thoughts. There was a keen spirit of participation among many in the region. These were people who had waited for a long time to be heard, and now they were going to exercise that right through the municipal polls. These were people who wanted to have a say in their civic affairs.
And from the comments of many, they were not happy with the way the municipality had run things so far.
And after the election results were announced, and the subsequent challenges by the losers, I realized that we are still in our infancy in this election process, and perhaps it was a wise step by the government to throw up only half the seats for votes. In the event that a certain group with similar interests got together and snared the seats through some back-room collusion, the government then still had the option of balancing things out.
I will be curious to see what issues candidates raise in their electoral platforms. Will they talk about the inefficiencies of the municipal bureaucrats, the corruption and the often-archaic laws that are thrust upon small business owners? Of perplexing subjects we face and raised so often in the news? Or are they immune to such issues and instead will focus to promise what they cannot deliver?
It is too early to tell, as candidates will have some time to prepare their agendas. And we the people must take this process seriously.
Because it affects us all, the outcome will be determined by our individual will to examine the different issues raised by prospective candidates and choose with our conscience.
And if there is one thing I would like to see implemented it is that there should be a full disclosure of assets and liabilities by candidates standing for these elections. Other countries have such provisions in their voting by-laws, and I believe this would protect us from those candidates whose intent would be to serve themselves and not the public. It is not uncommon.
This is not the time to be a bystander. To those who argue that this electoral process is superficial and limited, I say it is a beginning. A step forward.
To our youth I say, the next few years will bring bigger elections and will include women. But for now and for those who have been granted this privilege, it is a beginning where you have a voice and the right to exercise it. It is a vote for you and your future. Just don’t waste it.
