Voters Disenchanted In Upcoming Saudi Election

Registration is underway in Saudi Arabia for a national election this September to fill seats on nearly 300 municipal councils.

It's only the third time in the kingdom's history that a nationwide vote is taking place. And it comes at a time when citizens in other Arab countries are rising up to demand democratic reforms.

In Saudi Arabia, only men can vote and only men can serve on the councils.

Few people are signing up to vote, and some Saudis are dismissing the upcoming elections as a gimmick.

The Last Election

Local businessman Turki Faisal al Rasheed beams as he recalls the last elections for Saudi municipal councils back in 2005.

He says it was the first time in four decades a Saudi king had decided to let his subjects choose who they wanted to represent them, at least on local matters. Still, many people were unenthused and had to be persuaded to cast ballots.

Source: http://www.npr.org/2011/05/08/136068424/voters-disenchanted-in-upcoming-saudi-election?ft=1&f=1004

al gore bill clinton newt gingrich sarah palin al sharpton