RIYADH: The National Society for Human Rights (NSHR) has declared the third municipal elections free and fair but said there were problems that hampered voters and candidates, including some breaking campaigning rules.
Mufleh Al-Qahtani, chairman of the NSHR, said at a press conference in the capital that on the positive side candidates had an equal opportunity to campaign. Complaints by some about this had proven incorrect after an NSHR probe.
Al-Qahtani said a poll conducted by the NSHR found that most voters found it easy to access elections centers, with a 95 percent satisfaction rate recorded, according to a report in a local publication.
While the NSHR had been able to effectively monitor the election, other private bodies had not been able to do so because of limited funding for supervisors, transport and other costs.
Al-Qahtani said it was normal that there would be opposition in Saudi Arabia to women participating in the elections but those who won places on the councils should work hard to change these perceptions.
Al-Qahtani said it was now important for all winning candidates to fulfill the promises they made to the electorate. There should also be better coordination between various parts of local and provincial governments on service provision, he said.
The other negative challenges and issues observed by the NSHR during the elections include the disqualification of some candidates for not meeting certain rules and conditions. Some of those disqualified had indicated they would challenge the decisions in court.
Some voters had problems reaching elections centers; while some women had problems proving their identity, which limited their ability to participate fully in the election process, the NSHR found.
Some candidates had broken campaign rules by not sticking to the midnight deadline on Dec. 11 and had instead continued to do so through text messages right up to election time on Dec. 12, the rights body observed.
The NSHR also found that some candidates had encouraged voters to make their mark along tribal lines; and that some had representatives who were not allowed to monitor the elections.
The body also found that some voters in remote areas had been unable to reach polling stations; and that women workers had in some places failed to allow NSHR monitors to do their work.
NSHR declares elections free, fair but cites problems
