The Hindu : International : Islamists fare well in Saudi poll

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Apr 24, 2005

International

International

Islamists fare well in Saudi poll

Atul Aneja

MANAMA: Saudi Arabia's conservative clerics have managed to have their candidates elected in the municipal councils of cities along the west coast straddling the Red Sea. In the commercial hub of Jeddah, the clerics had backed the seven wining candidates whose names had appeared in the "golden list" which they had drawn. In Buraydah, capital of the arch conservative Qaseem province, the clergy had backed six out of the seven candidates that had won. Islamist candidates were also doing well in the holy city of Mecca. Supporters of the Islamist candidates however attributed their success to a better-run campaign in comparison to the liberal rivals. Polling for 244 seats was held on Thursday, completing the elections for the 178 municipal councils held across the Kingdom. Saudi Arabia's first municipal elections have been held in phases across the country. Women have not been allowed to participate and the Government has held the right to nominate half of the appointees.

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