The Shoura Council is discussing a draft law aimed at giving more powers to municipal councils and to bar mayors from chairing these bodies. This is according to Dr. Fahd Al-Urabi Al-Harithy, a former member of the Shoura Council and President of Asbar Center for Media Studies and Research. He said the law could result in significant changes to the municipal council system. Al-Harithy added that he has suggested that municipal councils be closed down and that regional councils carry out their duties because they are more effective. He said there is a need for a strong monitoring body to provide oversight of executive authority. He said the poor turnout in the municipal elections can be attributed to lack of awareness campaigns by candidates. Al-Harithy said he was surprised at the poor understanding people have of the role of the Shoura Council. There is clear confusion about legislative and executive bodies in the country, he added. He said there was nothing wrong with candidates seeking help of supporters to strengthen their positions. There is a huge difference between buying votes and having honest elections, he added. He said it was inevitable for women to become Shoura Council members and to participate in future elections. By definition, he said, Saudi women will not only discuss women's issues in the council but will also tackle national issues. Men and women complement each other, he added. Al-Harithy said there was a need to reactivate civil society institutions. This means that the Shoura Council will also have to be given more powers, especially to oversee government performance. __
