Women in Saudi Arabia Get a tone of Expression for the First time.
Covered from head to toe and guarded by male , Saudi women
voted on Saturday for the first time, in a uncertain step towards slackening
sex discrimination in the ultra-traditional Islamic kingdom
In addition , women were legitimate to compete as candidates in the polls
for municipal councils, the country's only elected public chambers."Now women have a tone of expression," Awatef Marzooq told the media after casting her vote at a school in the centre
"I cried. This is something that we only used to see on television taking place in other countries."
Despite the new presence of female canditates, Marzooq said she singled out a male candidate because of his ideas including more nurseries.
"I voted for a man, but I hope a woman will win," she said.
Saudi Arabia is an utter monarchy with some of the world's tightest precincts on women, including a ban on driving.
It was the last country to allow only men to vote, and polling stations were segregated.
Outside one polling booth for women in Riyadh, cars driven by men arrived occasionally with female voters dressed in black robes.
Some of the women asked the media not to take their photograph before they were whisked away.
Among the 6,440 candidates are more than 900 women, who overcame a number of obstacles to contend in the landmark poll.
Female candidates could not directly meet any male voters during their campaigns.
Female voters said registration was held up by factors including bureaucratic obstacles and a lack of transport.
As a result, women reported for less than 10 per cent of registered voters and few, if any, female candidates are expected to be elected when results are announced on Sunday.
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