JEDDAH, 29 April 2005 — More than 70 candidates from the recent municipal elections are contesting the victories of the seven candidates whose names appeared on the so-called “golden list.”
The complaints were filed with the Elections Grievances Committee, either in person or by legal brief. All candidates agreed on the same format for their appeals, which contend the “golden list” demonstrates prior organization and grouping in defiance of regulations. The defeated candidates said they have enough evidence against the victors to prove their allegations.
Several notable defeated candidates attended the meeting, including Saleem ibn Hindi Al-Harbi from the Sixth Precinct; Talal Al-Johani, Lafee Al-Balowi and Ali Al-Ramee in the Third Precinct; Dr. Abdul Malik Al-Janaidi in the Fourth Precinct; Abdul Aziz ibn Ghabisha in the Seventh Precinct and Osama Yamani in the Second Precinct and Esaam Ba Ghafaar in the Fourth Precinct.
Al-Watan reported that the Grievances Committee would receive substantial evidence focusing on six separate areas.
— A statement attributed to committee member Dr. Omar Al-Khouly about the “golden list” that appeared on the Internet sites and mobile messages indicating that the committee will remove those names when they become confident of the validity of this list and the lineup that it contained.
— An objection that candidates who were managers of districts in Jeddah province should have been excluded as district chiefs had been because their positions could be used to influence constituent voters.
— Articles in two Jeddah province magazines that predicted shoo-in victories for “golden list” candidates, which may have unduly influenced voters.
— Grievance Committee delays in condemning the “golden list” until the day before balloting, which precluded other candidates from amassing more evidence to support their allegations.
— A statement by Seventh Precinct victor Dr. Abdul Rahman Yamani to French media that a coalition existed between victorious candidates.
— Statements by government-employed scientists and senators chastening some of the candidates clearly prohibited by election regulations.
Jeddah province recognized two groups of plaintiffs studying the reasons of their losses. They briefed five lawyers who will present the allegations, The lawyers made clear this is not aimed at the victors personally, but rather the means by which the victories were achieved.
“This grouping up is a clear defiance to the second article in the second section of municipal regulations,” said plaintiff Musaid Al-Khamees, a defeated candidate. “In fact, before the announcement of results on Saturday morning, one of them was quoted in Okaz newspaper as saying ‘The news hasn’t confirmed it yet, but the signs say that there is unanimous victory for the gold.’ There can’t be anything more clear than that statement to confirm that there was prior planning/grouping in compiling that list, which was distributed via communication devices with the election results confirming it.”
Some assert that the violation is blatant.
“Taking part in a unified list is exactly the whole point of the regulations against gathering and collaborating,” said Ali Al-Oqla, an attorney and consultant. “In fact, the participation of just two candidates is prohibited, so what do you say to the participation of seven candidates — one from each of the seven regions?”
Grievances Committee Manager Ahmad Al-Khilawi said all grievances procedures should be completed regarding the election results. Yesterday was the last day to file election grievances. The committee has five days to decide on the complaints after their filing.
