Dubai, Dec. 13 : At least three women have won in Saudi Arabia’s historic municipal elections, according to initial reports.
The result, if confirmed, would be a stunning breakthrough in the kingdom since women on Saturday made history by participating in elections for the first time as candidates and voters, Gulf News reports.
Reprots in Saudi news suggest that two women, Dr Luma Al Sulaiman and Rasha Hifdhim, won in Jeddah, and one woman, Salma Al Otaibi, won in Makkah.
According to The Guardian, more than 5,000 men and about 980 women stood as candidates for municipal council seats while at least 130,000 women registered to vote, compared to 1.35 million men.
The election, which does not have quotas for female candidates, is widely regarded as a small but significant opening for women to play a more equal role in Saudi society. (ANI)