RIYADH: The Saudi cabinet has decided to allow women to contest and vote in the municipal elections to be held next year in a major step taken against the background of existing political and social norms.

Although some sections had anticipated women’s participation as a candidate also during the last elections held in 2011, eventually women were not permitted to participate.

However, King Abdullah had announced then that women would be allowed to do so from the 2015 elections onwards.

The current decision to permit women to contest elections is a fulfilment of that promise.

The law gives men and women the right to stand as candidates, vote and nominate others.

Foreigners may be allowed to trade on Saudi bourse

It grants independent, non-governmental and non-profit establishments and charities the right to observe election procedures.

However, it is still not clear how women will be allowed to campaign in the deeply conservative society. The municipal and rural affairs minister has been assigned to determine the size and make-up of councils.

However, as per the rules, these should not exceed 30 members, with two-thirds elected and a third appointed by the minister.

Published in Dawn, July 24th , 2014