ATS: 'Islamist win' in key Saudi poll, page 1

The Royal Family of Saudi decided to hold elections in their Kingdom recently to bring some democracy to the land. Westerners wonder if this move might end by bringing down the Royal Family and replacing it with an Islamic party. This may be the first steps for full democracy for the Saudi's.

news.bbc.co.uk
Islamist-backed candidates have taken a commanding lead in Saudi Arabia's first municipal election, in Riyadh, according to preliminary results.

The poll is part of an official plan to bring elements of democracy to the Gulf kingdom, with 1,800 candidates vying for 592 seats in 178 councils.

Later rounds will be staged in other parts of the kingdom over a period of two months.

In Riyadh, 650 candidates have been fighting for just seven seats.

Women are excluded from the polls and only some 148,000 of 400,000 eligible men have registered to vote in Riyadh.

Please visit the link provided for the complete story.

Under pressure from home and abroad, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has edged towards reform. Groups, who are against the Saudi Royal family, state that this is a "giant step" and women feel that they may become more apart of society.

A losing candidate complained about the results, claiming that the circulated list broke the electoral law by claiming "religious backing".

"These people have hijacked the elections,"
Thafer al-Yami, a losing candidate.

Overall, that was a great move for the Saudi people, freedom and democracy are becoming ever so closer to them. All we can do now is hope that the Royal family start to give more democratic rights to its people.

Related News Links:
news.bbc.co.uk
www.cnn.com
www.cbsnews.com

[edit on 14-2-2005 by John bull 1]