Dr. Ibrahim ibn Hamad Al-Quayid talks to reporters on Monday. (AN photo)

RIYADH, 1 February 2005 — The municipal elections should be looked upon as “a giant first step” in the direction of political reforms and the Saudi government should be commended for this bold initiative, one of the candidates said yesterday.

Addressing a press conference here, Dr. Ibrahim ibn Hamad Al-Quayid, a moderate reformist who is contesting for a seat in the Riyadh municipal council, said he was committed to serving the people.

“I was offered better positions in higher bodies in the Kingdom, but I declined to accept and preferred to run for the municipal poll, which is the beginning of a new phase for Saudi Arabia,” said Al-Quayid.

A former assistant secretary-general of the World Assembly of Muslim Youth (WAMY), Dr. Al-Quayid is currently serving as an executive member of the Human Rights Association.

He had also worked as an associate professor of English and translation at the College of Languages and Translation, King Saud University (KSU). He is currently president of the Al-Marifah Educational Consulting House, owned and operated by him.

Asked about his election program, he said he would work for social, political and economic prosperity on local, regional and national levels. “I am also running to train myself for a bigger role,” he said.

Al-Quayid is contesting the election from Al-Mather constituency, the sixth electoral district of Riyadh. On public response to election campaigns, he said that “the enthusiasm is obvious, and the campaign is already under way and highly spirited”.

About his campaigning tactics, Al-Quayid said, “I have already intensified my campaign. I am meeting people personally, holding meetings and hosting the people in my tent along King Fahd Highway. This will help to convert the crowd into votes.”

With the help of his supporters he has prepared “highly-effective” advertisements to be published in the local press from time to time, said the academician.

Asked about his reasons for contesting the poll despite holding high positions in academic and business spheres, Dr. Al-Quayid said “for a country like Saudi Arabia, it is a historical process and I am participating in the elections for the sake of reforms. I have been promoting the cause of political participation throughout my life. Now the time has come to contest the elections, which are an extremely modest affair.”

The elections are a “real breakthrough” in the Saudi context, said Dr. Al-Quayid, who calls himself a moderate. He said the pressure for change has been building for years. Nearly all countries neighboring Saudi Arabia already practice one form of electoral participation or another.

On the ban imposed on district chiefs from contesting elections, he said that “it is a welcome move”. He, however, pointed out that many tribal chiefs are contesting the poll.

A total of 698 candidates have been short-listed by the election commission for seven seats in Riyadh. The total number of voters in the Riyadh region is 150,000 including 86,000 in the capital city alone. At the national level, 592 members will elected to 178 municipal councils in 13 regions. The staggered election process will conclude on April 21 this year.