RIYADH, Aug 19: Prominent personalities including academics and businessmen are preparing to contest Saudi Arabia' first-ever municipal elections to be held from November into early 2005, the Saudi daily Arab News said on Friday.

Fifteen figures in Makkah, including businessman Abdul Rahman Faqeeh, academic Rashid al Rajih, Adel Kaaki, Abdul Rahman al Subaie, Turki Ahmed Badr and Ziyad Farsy are to file their nominations. Most of them are well known and belong to prominent families of the region.

Businessman Awad al Dossi, owner of the Sahari Real Estate Establishment in Jeddah, has expressed his desire to contest the elections, which he described as a step in the right direction. He said the candidates should not be allowed to purchase votes.

Dr Abdul Rahman Yamani, executive director of an oil service company, Khaled al Ghamdi and Bandar al Fehaid, both businessmen, are other possible contestants from Jeddah. In the Asir region, 15 people have filed their nominations. According to Okaz daily they include a number of businessmen.

In Yanbu there are reports that 10 important figures are likely to contest the polls. They include Naji al Ahmedi, Saleh al Harbi and Faisal Mansour. Tough competition is expected between candidates in the industrial city.

According to a high-level source at the ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs quoted Al Watan daily, members of the Shoura and regional councils can contest the polls.

The chambers of commerce and industry in Makkah, Riyadh and Dammam have offered to hold three-month intensive courses for candidates on municipal work. The chambers have already presented applications to the Municipal and Rural Affairs Ministry in this respect.

The elections to pick half the members of 178 municipal councils in the kingdom's 13 regions will be held in three phases. Elections in the Riyadh region will be conducted in the first phase.