Published on 12:23 PM, December 13, 2015

Saudis elect first woman politician

Saudi women hold applications as they head to register to vote in the port city of Jeddah on August 30, 2015. Saudi Arabia allowed women to register to stand in local elections, in a historic first for the ultra-conservative Muslim kingdom. In a country where women face a host of restrictions including a driving ban, the move was welcomed as an important step forward. AFP PHOTO / STR
AFP, Riyadh

A Saudi woman won a seat on Mecca's municipal council in ultra-conservative Saudi Arabia's first-ever elections open to female voters and candidates, the country's election commission announced Sunday.

Salma bint Hizab al-Oteibi was elected to the council of Madrakah, a region in the holy city of Mecca, the official SPA news agency reported, citing election commission president Osama al-Bar.

She was running against seven men and two women, he added.

Saudi Arabia is an absolute monarchy with some of the world's tightest restrictions on women, including a ban on driving.

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It was the last country to allow only men to vote, and polling stations were segregated during Saturday's vote.

Among the 6,440 candidates were more than 900 women, who overcame a number of obstacles to participate in the landmark poll.

Female candidates could not directly meet any male voters during their campaigns.

Female voters said registration was hindered by factors including bureaucratic obstacles and a lack of transport.

As a result, women accounted for less than 10 percent of registered voters and few female candidates were expected to be elected.

 

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