More than 900 women are campaigning for public office in
Saudi Arabia a first in the kingdom's history.
The December 12 municipal election will be the first
opportunity for Saudi women to vote or run for office since a 2011 order by the
now deceased King Abdullah that granted women some opportunities for political
participation in the ultra-conservative Sunni kingdom.
Critics have described the change as anywhere from modest
to inconsequential. Women will only participate in elections at the municipal
level.
At least two women's rights activists announced on
Twitter that they had been disqualified as candidates.
According to the U.S. State Department, municipal
elections in Saudi Arabia fill half the seats in municipal councils, with the
king selecting the other half.
The late King Abdullah also issued a royal decree in 2013
mandating the Consultative Council, a royally appointed body that advises the
King, be at least 20% women, the State Department says.
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