Saudi Arabian Women Vote (and Run) For The First Time

The Brian Lehrer Show | Dec 7, 2015

This week marks an historical election for Saudi Arabia. For the first time, women are allowed to both vote and run for office. 

You might be thinking, "Wait - isn't Saudi Arabia a kingdom ruled by a royal family?" Yes, that's true, but the country also holds municipal elections for local representatives.

Deb Amos, who covers the Middle East for NPR News, talk about this Saturday's elections in Saudi Arabia and the role women are expected to play.

Amos says ISIS won't play a particularly large role, especially since these elections are happening on a local level and Saudis are already engaged in fighting in Yemen, their first war outside of the country.

A quick glance at Saudi Arabia's upcoming elections, by the numbers:

  • 240 municipal councils with open seats
  • 900 women running
  • 136,000 women registered to vote
  • 1.2 million men registered to vote

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