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Saudi Arabia: First woman councillor elected Saudi Arabia: First women councillors elected
(about 5 hours later)
A woman has won a seat on a municipal council for the first time in Saudi Arabia, after the kingdom lifted its bar on women taking part in elections. Women have been elected to municipal councils in Saudi Arabia for the first time after a ban on women taking part in elections was lifted.
Salma bint Hizab al-Oteibi won a seat in Mecca province in Saturday's vote. At least four women were elected, the state-run Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported. Other news agencies put the number between nine and 17.
Women have also won in several other regions in the country, including Jeddah and Qatif, reports suggest. Women were elected in Mecca, Jawf and Tabuk, SPA said.
The election was the first where women were allowed to vote and stand as candidates, and is being viewed as a landmark in the conservative kingdom. The vote is being seen as a landmark in the conservative kingdom. However, the councils have limited powers.
Saudi women still face many curbs in public life, including driving. Women also won in several other regions in the country, including Jeddah and Qatif, other reports suggested.
A total of 978 women registered as candidates, alongside 5,938 men.
Officials said about 130,000 women had registered to vote in Saturday's poll, compared with 1.35 million men.
Quiz: Life as a woman in Saudi ArabiaQuiz: Life as a woman in Saudi Arabia
In pictures: Saudi women voteIn pictures: Saudi women vote
Saudi women still face many curbs in public life, including driving. A total of 978 women registered as candidates, alongside 5,938 men.
Officials said about 130,000 women had registered to vote in Saturday's poll, compared with 1.35 million men.
The disparity was attributed by female voters to bureaucratic obstacles and a lack of transport, the AFP news agency says.The disparity was attributed by female voters to bureaucratic obstacles and a lack of transport, the AFP news agency says.
Female candidates were also not allowed to address male voters directly during campaigning. Turnout was high, state media reported.Female candidates were also not allowed to address male voters directly during campaigning. Turnout was high, state media reported.
Ms Oteibi won a seat on the council in Madrakah in Mecca province, the president of the election commission, Osama al-Bar, told the official SPA news agency. Salma bint Hizab al-Oteibi was named as Saudi Arabia's first elected female politician, after winning a seat on the council in Madrakah in Mecca province.
She was running against seven men and two women, Mr Bar was quoted as saying. She was running against seven men and two women, the electoral authorities said.
Elections of any kind are rare in the Saudi kingdom - Saturday was only the third time in history that Saudis had gone to the polls.Elections of any kind are rare in the Saudi kingdom - Saturday was only the third time in history that Saudis had gone to the polls.
There were no elections in the 40 years between 1965 and 2005.There were no elections in the 40 years between 1965 and 2005.
The decision to allow women to take part was taken by the late King Abdullah and is seen as a key part of his legacy.The decision to allow women to take part was taken by the late King Abdullah and is seen as a key part of his legacy.
In announcing the reforms, King Abdullah said women in Saudi Arabia "have demonstrated positions that expressed correct opinions and advice".In announcing the reforms, King Abdullah said women in Saudi Arabia "have demonstrated positions that expressed correct opinions and advice".
Before he died in January, he appointed 30 women to the country's top advisory Shura Council.Before he died in January, he appointed 30 women to the country's top advisory Shura Council.
There were 2,100 council seats available in Saturday's vote. An additional 1,050 seats are appointed with approval from the king.There were 2,100 council seats available in Saturday's vote. An additional 1,050 seats are appointed with approval from the king.
Are you in Saudi Arabia? Did you vote in the election? What do you think about the election of the first woman councillor? You can email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your comments.Are you in Saudi Arabia? Did you vote in the election? What do you think about the election of the first woman councillor? You can email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your comments.
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