JEDDAH, 1 September 2005 — A group of Saudi businesswomen are challenging their exclusion from participating in the forthcoming elections for the board of directors of Jeddah Chamber of Commerce & Industry (JCCI). Their challenge consists of filling out the forms and listing themselves as candidates. According to regulations, there is no rule stating that women cannot be nominated. Taking advantage of this loophole, about ten businesswomen members of the JCCI have submitted their applications for consideration as nominees.
“There is nothing that prevents women from nominating themselves. Women represent a large group of chamber members; they play an influential role in the country’s economy and contribute to its development and to decreasing unemployment so they should be given equal opportunity to run in the elections,” said Sameera Bitar, one of the businesswomen who filled out the form as a candidate.
The criteria for nominees does not specify male or female although some might argue that the word used is meant to men only. Other criteria include that the candidate be Saudi, a member of the chamber, not less than 30 years old and have worked in commerce and industry for at least three years. The last day for receiving applications is Saturday. “Saturday evening we will present a preliminary list of accepted nominees who meet the criteria, allow a week for any objections and then present the final list of candidates,” said Yehiya Azzan, head of the election’s supervising committee formed by the Ministry of Commerce. The committee was not directed to accept women’s applications for candidacy.
“I’m not optimistic that our applications would be accepted but we are making a statement. I expect that the same thing that happened with the municipal elections will happen with us - that we will be promised to be allowed to participate in the next round of elections especially with the current direction by the government of supporting women and giving them a bigger role in the country’s economic growth,” said Bitar to Arab News. The issue for the objection is the mixing of sexes in meetings if women are included.
Simultaneously the men’s campaigns are warming up. Three lobby groups have formed as well as one independent nominee with no specific alliance. According to sources, the three competing groups are led by Dr. Abdullah Dahlan, Luai Nazer and Mohammed Jameel; the independent candidate is Wasif Kabli. The current president, Dr. Ghassan Al-Sulaiman is not seeking re-election. Twelve seats are open for elections and six seats are appointed by the Ministry of Commerce.
“The chamber does not have a role in the election process. The regulations, procedures and the supervising committee and sub-committee are outlined by the Ministry of Commerce,” said Faisal Bataweel, media coordinator at JCCI. He explained that the board of directors are volunteers, that they are not paid for their work at the JCCI, but they do have power and influence in making decisions and they represent the Kingdom in conferences and meetings, so it is an important title especially since Jeddah is the commercial hub of the country.
So far twenty men have nominated themselves. The number of candidates is expected to exceed thirty. Voting will take place on Sept. 28 and 29 in the chambers.
