By IANS,
Moscow : The Saudi Majlis al-Shura consultative council has advised the country’s government to allow women to vote in municipal elections under the Islamic law, RIA Novosti quoted Arab media as stating in a report Tuesday.
Women in Saudi Arabia cannot vote or be elected to high political positions.
Shura secretary general Muhammad Al-Ghamdi said women may be permitted to vote provided they exercise the right in line with Islamic regulations, Arabnews.com reported. The upcoming municipal polls are to be held Sep 22, 2011.
Gender roles in Saudi society come from Sharia (Islamic law) and tribal culture. All women in Saudi society, regardless of age, are required to have a male guardian. Saudi Arabia is the only country in the world that prohibits women from driving.
The Majlis al-Shura, or consultative council, is a 150-member legislative body that advises the Saudi king on issues that are important to the country.