(Riyadh) … Saudi King Abdullah Bin AbdulaAziz AlSaud proved his critics right today by canceling municipal elections due this year and instead extended the councils’ terms for two more years, according to sources in the Saudi Council of Ministers who spoke to SIA News in the condition of anonymity.
The council of minister issued the order today in its weekly meeting. The country elected its first municipal councils in 2004, but only for half of the seats, and women were totally barred from the process. In addition the councils lacked any power besides suggesting projects. The decisions were made by the municipality directors and the ministry of Municipalities and Rural Affairs in Riyadh.
The elections came as a response to dozens of national petitions signed by leading reformers and thousands of people around the country. The Saudi ruling family, supported by the United States, declined to allow for full fledged elections for local governments, and a national parliament, a major demand of the petitions.
Former American Secretary of States Condoleezza Rice praised the partial Saudi municipal elections, and the United Nations Office of Election Assistance in New York provided technical assistance to the Saudi government in contradiction to the UN charter.
King Abdullah has been hailed by the United States government as a reformer. |
