Saudi women vote for the first time in election

Saudi women were allowed to vote in elections today for the first time ever, in a tentative step towards easing widespread sex discrimination in the ultra- conservative Islamic kingdom.

In another first, women were allowed to stand as candidates in the polls for municipal councils, the country's only elected public chambers.

The absolute monarchy, where women are banned from driving and must cover themselves from head-to-toe in public, was the last country to allow only men to vote.

More than 900 women are running, competing with nearly 6,000 men for seats. They have had to overcome a number of obstacles to participate in the landmark poll.
 
Gender segregation enforced at public facilities meant that female candidates could not directly meet any male voters during their campaigns.

Women voters said registration was hindered by bureaucratic obstacles, a lack of awareness of the process and its significance, and the fact that women could not drive themselves to sign up.

Polling stations were also segregated. As a result, women account for less than 10 per cent of registered voters and few, if any, female candidates are expected to be elected.