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When Late King Abdul
Aziz entered Makkah in 1343H, he ordered a 12 member (peoples' council) to be
selected by the citizens of Makkah, seeking their assistance in the
administration of the affairs of the Holly Capital. This council turned to be
for all Hijaz Region. The idea of peoples' council extended to include regions
of: Madina Munawwara, Jidda, Taif and Yanbu'. Members of these councils were of
the elite categories of the society: scientists, intellectuals, writers and
businessmen. These peoples' council became the core for the civil councils. Then
a resolution was issued on the general regulations for the municipality of the
Capital and municipal councils. These regulations resolved the structure of the
municipality of Makkah and other municipal councils, tasks, work distribution
and how to carry out the jobs. Of these were: election and nomination of
chairmen for the handicraftsmen and vocations and surveillance over their works.
The regulation also stated the relationship between the municipality, the
administrative council and the municipal council. These regulations stated that
the municipal council will be elected at each town and that elections will be
conducted according to the general regulations of elections. The council will
elect from among its members in a confidential ballot its chairman and the vice
chairman. Of the tasks of the council was to look into the fiscal budget, the
contracts, study of rules and regulations and the amendment of fees. On the date
of 22/8 /1384H correspondent to 30/6/1964 the first issue of Aljazira newspaper
was issued bearing a statement for HRH. Prince Selman bin Abdul Aziz governor of
Riyadh region:
"It is obvious that the municipal council members will be elected by citizens, a
matter which will gather good people together as one unit to select a person who
is efficient, wise and rational, to be a link between the government and the
citizens express their wishes and present the demands of his specific locality
and Riyadh city in general. As long as election depends on the attendance of
citizens to select the council members then success or failure of the municipal
council depends highly on the citizens. For sure we did not approach this
endeavor unless we were sure of the awareness of Riyadh citizens and their wish
to participate and cooperate; a matter which encourage us to be sure of the
reality of the municipal council in sha Allah."
On 21/2 /1397H the regulations for villages and municipalities was issued
including 49 items. The items from 6 to 27 were about the municipal councils.
This rule stated that the municipal authorities are assumed by two departments:
a) The municipal council which assumes the responsibility of decision and
supervision.
b) The municipality chairman who assumes the responsibility of executive duties
with the assistance of the municipality departments.
The rule stated that the minister of municipal and rural affairs determines by a
resolution the number of the municipal council members at each municipality
provided that the number should not be less than four and not to exceed
fourteen; chairman included. Half members of the council will be elected and the
other half to be appointed by the minister of Municipal and Rural Affairs, in
regard of their qualifications and skillfulness. The council will elect the
chairman and his deputy for a turn of two years.
The executive regulations were approved by the minister to practice the
mechanisms of election and to enlighten the citizens on the process.
These municipal elections process is a great challenge to the citizens, as for
their ability to participate in the build up of the popular civil and decision
making institutions a matter these election are to establish. Surely these
institutions will bear a great peal of the government burden and alleviate much
of the law and order of the government procedures.
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