Prince Mansour Bin Mit'eb Bin Abdul Aziz, Minister of Municipal and Rural Affairs, Monday announced the formation of 283 out of 285 municipal councils for which elections were held last month. The remaining results will be announced once the appeal formalities are over. The municipal council's role includes approving budgets, suggesting planning regulations and overseeing city projects. Prince Mansour said the municipal councils are entering a new phase with the end of the first round which worked very hard, and now a new term has started in which representatives have been elected transparently and honestly. “King Abdullah, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, and the Crown Prince, have closely followed the elections which shows the great care they have taken to enable citizens participate in decision-making process and achieve domestic development,” he said. Prince Mansour thanked members of the outgoing municipal councils, and said the new members have to bear a new burden and responsibility. “They should work with a team spirit,” he said. “The membership of the councils is not an honor but a duty that makes it vital for them to participate wisely in decision-making,” Prince Mansour said. The experience of the last municipal councils, he said, will immensely benefit the newly elected bodies. “New members should communicate with the voters to find out their needs and fulfill the promises made during the election campaign,” he said. The ministry has urged those interested in knowing the members of the municipal councils to visit its website www.intekhab.gov.sa.
