The issue of allowing Saudi women to vote in the municipal council elections has taken a new dimension after the Shoura Council has recommended to King Abdullah, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, that women should be allowed to vote in municipal elections. The recommendation, days before the Eid holidays, did not mention any particular election round in which women would be allowed to vote; it takes the form of an open recommendation, in preparation for its official approval. In June, the Shoura Council dropped a request from some members to rescind its decision to recommend allowing women to vote in the elections later this month. The Shoura Council decided to go ahead and refer the draft recommendation to King Abdullah. The Shoura Council recommendation, which includes “taking all necessary measures while abiding by the Shariah conditions” to allow women vote in the municipal council elections without giving them the right to be candidates, has been referred to the ruler as an open recommendation, according to a Shoura Council member. Dr. Abdul Rahman Al-Inad, a member of the Shoura Council and the National Society for Human Rights, said the decision does not specify the election round or rounds in which women would be allowed to vote, but it includes the necessary measures for those concerned to make that decision, based on their discretion. Dr. Al-Inad was quoted by Asharq Al-Awsat Arabic daily as saying that the recommendation was put to the vote over three weeks ago through a draft recommendation I presented with the participation of Dr. Zuhair Al-Harthi, a member of the Shoura Council; it won a majority vote and was adopted by the Council.” He said the Shoura Council regulations permit objecting to any decision that is put to a vote. The objection can come from the chairman of the Council, the committee concerned or 15 members, provided it takes place before the decision is referred to King Abdullah. “What took place is that 18 members objected to the decision and they presented a memorandum about a month ago, especially since it is within the Council's mechanism to object to or accept the decision.” He drew attention to the fact that the unsuccessful objection did not include annulling the decision, but it demanded discussing the decision again or putting it to a vote. Dr. Al-Inad said that Shoura Council members who demand re-discussion of a certain subject within the Council actually want to change the decision and get some time to discuss it and present their views. He said those who have objected are considered to be opponents of the recommendation to allow women to vote in the municipal elections.
