Saudi set for municipal election

Saudi set for municipal election
By Kim Ghattas BBC News, Riyadh

Only Saudi men are taking part and less that half or eligible voters have registeredSaudi Arabia is preparing for the first round of landmark municipal elections which will take place in the Saudi capital, Riyadh, on Thursday.
Elections are the first of their kind in the absolute monarchy.
They have been described as a small step in Saudi Arabia's measured response to call for reforms, but election fever is gripping Riyadh.
Candidates have taken expensive full-page advertisements in newspapers to promote their platforms.
On almost every intersection, big billboards have gone up with pictures of serious-looking men in the traditional headgear and white robe, announcing they will fight corruption or beautify the capital.
Election tents
Dotted around the city are so-called campaign tents. These are traditional Bedouin tents with carpets on the floor, set up by the side of the road.
Inside, candidates welcome supporters and talk about their programme, while strong Arabic coffee and dates are passed around.
The elections look like they will be tightly contested. In Riyadh, there are about 650 candidates running for just seven seats.
But the excitement of candidates has not been matched by that of their constituents.
Only about 148,000 Saudi men registered, out of 400,000 eligible voters. Women are barred from running and voting.
Candidates started campaigning only after voter registration ended and some Saudis say they now regret not having signed up to vote.
But others say they are still not too enthusiastic about the elections, because half of the municipal council will still be appointed.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/4244343.stm