Minister of Municipal and Rural Affairs Prince Mite’b Bin Abdul Aziz said that committees and working teams have been established and an agreement reached with international consultants and experts for finalizing the process of forthcoming Municipal Council Elections.
Prince Mite’b noted that committee and working team members have studied international experiences in municipal elections, and reviewed relevant regulations and by-laws, prior to drafting a complete election system which conforms to the Kingdom’s principles, with the aim of boosting popular participation in running local affairs and enhancing the transparency of the system.
The working teams, which consist of experts in Sharia (Islamic law), social and administrative law and various technical fields, participated in studies conducted by the Ministry in cooperation with international experts.
The working teams established the basic regulations and procedures for the election process and drafting the necessary by-laws and resolutions. The by-laws related to election of members for Municipal Councils will be issued imminently.
The location of election centres, the time of registering the electorate, the registration of candidates, the deadline for nomination and the process for electing members of the 178 Municipal Councils will be determined in accordance with a fixed timetable which includes all cities and villages in thirteen regions of the Kingdom.
Prince Mit’eb stressed the keenness of the Saudi leadership led by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, the Crown Prince and the Second Deputy Premier to achieve wider active participation of all citizens in running the affairs of their cities and villages.
Source: SPA
