Fahd Bin Jleid Al-Jazirah Women candidates in the upcoming municipal elections in Jeddah are scared by a possible male domination of the election process. If this is the case in Jeddah, which is a city of immense social diversity, what will be the condition of women candidates in cities such as Arar, in the extreme north, and Abha in the extreme south? Women candidates in Jeddah fear male domination due to several factors including tribal support and the freedom they enjoy in reaching out to the voters. Male candidates can easily circulate their bio-datas to the voters to win them over while women find this to be somewhat embarrassing. They can, of course, communicate with women voters. This may, however, not ensure them male votes or give them a majority. This attitude of Jeddah women candidates can only be described as “defeatist”. It is not indicating the success of women in the first step of their participation in the process of decision-making, development and contribution in the civic affairs of the city. We need strong women candidates who are capable of effective participation in the country's development. They should be able to participate effectively through good ideas and proposals to serve their community, their city and the country at large. Women should grap this opportunity provided to them by the supreme authorities who decided to involve them as voters and candidates in the municipal elections for the first time in the history of the Kingdom. It seems that the election tussle between men and women has started early. According to a recent press report, seven women candidates in Jeddah have formed an alliance to support the women candidates against the expected male domination. The new female alliance is aimed at allaying fears of women candidates that they are not alone in challenging the male candidates who enjoy a number of privileges over them. Women have been preparing for this event for almost five years now. They have been organizing workshops and holding training sessions. Under the system, men and women candidates are equal. They both have the same rights in contesting and voting. This very fact should have lessened the fear among women which might have resulted from their previous unsuccessful experiments in the elections of the Chambers of Commerce and Industry. The parameters here are different. There is no money involved here. The money makes much difference in the elections of the chambers of commerce. The balance in this case will always be tilting toward men. The Women Development Society in Riyadh is offering programs to present men and women candidates to both male and female voters. Using practical teaching methods, the society is explaining to voters ways to register and cast votes. In its campaigns, the society is using the slogan “Your Vote Makes a Difference.” Women attendees in the gathering organized by the society were much more than men. May be because this the first time women are voting and contesting or may be because the society itself is a feminine organization. The question here is: have male candidates prepared themselves very well for the elections with clear and convincing programs? Have they organized workshops and training sessions similar to those held by women? Have they formed alliances to stand united against women? It will be very embarrassing for men if women were able to obtain a majority of votes. However, for a large number of voters, men candidates will emerge triumphant because of the weight of the tribe and the cups of coffee they are serving to their guests.
