SAUDI WOMEN GO TO THE POLLS FOR THE FIRST TIME ...

Saudi women running for public office next month for the first time ever begin campaigning Sunday in another step forward for women’s rights in the conservative kingdom’s slow democratic process.

Around 900 women are standing in the December 12 municipal elections, which will also be the first time females have been allowed to participate in choosing officials.

The absolute monarchy, which applies a strict interpretation of Islam, has no female cabinet ministers and is the only country in the world where women are not allowed to drive.

Women must cover themselves in black from head-to-toe in public, and require permission from a man in their families to travel, work or marry.

Restrictions remain in place despite a slow expansion of women’s rights under the late king Abdullah, who introduced the elections in 2005 and said women would participate this time around.

In other Gulf states, women have had voting rights for several years.

Only 130,600 women have signed up to vote, compared with more than 1.35 million men, out of a voting population of 21 million.

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