RIYADH, Oct 19: Saudi Arabia is likely to hold elections to its legislative body, the Shoora Council, within three years, the daily Al-Hayat said citing senior official sources. Last week, Saudi Arabia announced holding elections to elect half of the members of its 14 municipal bodies.

“The Saudi government intends to hold partial elections to the (consultative) Shoora Council and Regional Councils within the next three years,” the daily said citing assurances made by top officials.

The paper said elections would be held to fill one-thirds of the 120 seats in the Shoora, which at present is an all-nominated body offering advice to the government. No details were given on the legislative powers to be granted to the council.

The daily also said half of the members of the 13 regional councils, whose members also get nominated, would be elected within the next two years. The decision of the Saudi cabinet last Monday to allow election to elect half of the members of the municipal bodies, was to broaden the participation of the masses in the running of their affairs.

The municipal polls would be the first in the 70 years’ political history of the modern Saudi Arabia. Currently, ballots are only held here to elect some members of the governing boards of the chamber of commerce and industry.

The next step, elections to the Shoora, could be the next logical step in the ongoing reforms process in the kingdom.

Since its inception in 1993, the Shoora has dealt with important economic and social issues. The all-male council does not legislate under its current role.

The Shoora debates bills normally proposed by the various government departments, sometimes introducing minor amendments and voting them into law. These laws then go to the government, which must approve them before they could be enforced.

The council’s membership was increased from 60 to 90 in the second term in 1997 and to 120 in 2001. Two-third of the members nominated to the Saudi Shoora currently hold doctorate in various fields.