posted on Feb, 9 2005 @ 08:39 PM
Saudi Arabia is due to hold its first ever nationwide municipal elections as the government aims to introduce elements of democracy in the kingdom.
The polls begin in the capital, Riyadh, on Thursday, with later rounds to be held over three months in other cities.
Overall, 1,800 candidates are vying for 592 seats in 178 councils. In Riyadh, 650 are fighting for just seven seats.
Women are excluded from the polls and only some 148,000 of 400,000 eligible men have registered to vote in Riyadh.
The polls can be seen as a small step in Saudi Arabia's measured response to calls for reform, correspondents say.
Full story
I some how doubt this is the start of true reforms the so called elections are being held to suck up to Bush and his cronies.
Its funny how Bush never says anything about human rights abuses in China then again why would he? The shirt on his back is made in China.