WUNRN

http://www.wunrn.com

 

http://www.wnd.com/2015/10/saudi-female-candidates-banned-from-meeting-voters/

 

SAUDI FEMALE CANDIDATES BANNED FROM MEETING VOTERS

 

Local election laws require segregated campaign.

 

Saudi women

Saudi Arabian women can now launch campaigns for municipal elections. BUT, Shariah-compliant process essentially guarantees voters will not see or hear them.

Registration for the Saudi Arabia’s Dec. 12 elections has 366 female candidates, all who must navigate a strict set of rules if they hope to be elected. Violations can cost candidates up to $2,667 per infraction.

Some of the limitations placed upon the women include a prohibition from addressing voters directly and a ban on publishing photos of themselves for campaign material, Breitbart News reported Monday.

“The Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs has a special section for issuing permits to companies that manage advertising campaigns for election candidates,” Judiea Al-Qahtani, the election commission spokesman, told Arab News on Sunday.

Campaign staffers must also be segregated by gender while working at a candidate’s headquarters.

Saudi Arabian women were allowed to register to vote for the first time in August 22.