Votes cast in first national election for Saudi Arabia

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia -- Male voters converged at polling stations in the Riyadh region Thursday to participate in city elections, marking the first time Saudis participated in a vote that largely conformed to international standards. Women were banned from casting ballots.

Some voters were optimistic the elections would lead to further reforms in this country tightly ruled by the Saudi royal family and often criticized by international human rights activists. One voter said it marked "the beginning of democracy" here.

"This was a wonderful moment," said Badr al-Faqih, a 54-year-old geography professor, moments after submitting the first ballot at one polling station. "This is a first step toward more elections."

Preliminary results could be available by late Thursday but may not be released until Saturday because Friday is the Islamic day of prayer, election officials said.

Suleiman al-Ondus, 70, turned to an official with a big smile on his face when he saw a female reporter.

"Have you changed your mind? Are you now allowing women to vote? I want to bring my wife," the man said.

When told the woman was a journalist, the elderly man told the reporter, "I feel a lot of pain because women cannot participate in the vote."

Women were banned both from voting and running in the election, which represents a small political reform in this absolute monarchy. The election will be held in three stages. Thursday's first stage was for half the country's municipal councils.

Abdul Rahman al-Hussein, 53, a school principal, said he went to the polling station early to be among the first voters.

"This is patriotic participation. I want this campaign to succeed," he said.

Polls closed at 5 p.m. Thursday, and some voters had limited expectations for the winners. Al-Hussein said he chose his candidate based on campaign promises, including building playgrounds.

More than 1,800 candidates were contesting 127 seats in the capital and surrounding villages -- with almost 700 people running for seven seats in Riyadh. Only 149,000 of 600,000 eligible voters registered.

Two subsequent election stages will be held in March and April.

Researcher Ahmed al-Sayyegh, 46, said it was difficult to choose from the hundreds of candidates, especially since the campaign was only 12 days long and people did not have enough time to get to know the candidates.

"This is a modest beginning but it is not enough. We want to have representatives who are all elected and no appointed members," he said.

Some voters were confused about the process and had to be helped by officials.

"This has been a unique experience," civil servant Ahmed al-Khalifa said after voting. "I did not want to register in the first place because I did not take the elections seriously. But I was afraid I would regret not registering and now I am glad I did."

Al-Khalifa said he wanted to frame his registration card as a souvenir. He hoped the candidate he voted for would improve the infrastructure and lighting in his Riyadh neighborhood.

Abdul Nasser al-Zahrani, 46, an archaeology professor, said the election marked "the beginning of a new era."

"We now know what elections are and what it means to make your voice heard through proper channels. It is the beginning of democracy," he said.

Asked about the fact that half the council members will be appointed, he said, "This is a first step and it is good as a first step but it should be followed by more steps."

At another polling station in an elementary school, officials checking names of voters sat in front of children's drawings. Voters proceeded to an indoor basketball court to cast ballots.

The Saudi government has launched a national dialogue to open public debate on democratization and other issues.

The monarchy has grappled with intense pressures in the past two years -- struggling to contain militant Islamists who have staged suicide bombings while responding to pressure from the United States to adopt liberal reforms.

Officials said they barred women from voting or running in the elections because there would not have been time to set up women-only polling stations and many women do not carry a necessary ID card.

But conservatism toward women runs deep both in the government and the people.

Abdullah al-Muhadib, 43, an auditor, said he was very happy with the experience but he would not have allowed his wife to vote if the government permitted it.

"She is a queen at home but I am in charge of what takes place outside the house," he said.

Abdul Aziz al-Ghanam, 45, a land surveyor, had a different opinion.

"A woman is a man's sister. I would not have had a problem with my wife voting," he said.

A candidate for office, Bandar al-Fakir, stood outside the tent watching as voters left. Asked how he will feel if he lost, al-Fakir said, "I would be happy if I won and I would also be happy if I lost. The important thing here is for the process to succeed."

Election officials said partial results could be ready as soon as Thursday night, but final results may not be released until Friday or Saturday.