Voting starts in first Saudi poll open to women—AFP
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia—Voting began on Saturday in Saudi Arabia’s first elections open to female voters and candidates.
READ: Saudi women face off against men for first time in elections
Male voters began to enter a polling center in central Riyadh at about 8:00 a.m. (0500 GMT), an AFP reporter at the scene said.
Men and women vote separately in the kingdom, where the sexes are strictly segregated, but the vote for local councilors is a tentative step towards easing restrictions that are among the world’s tightest on women.
READ: Saudi women candidates begin first election campaign
Article continues after this advertisementFewer than 10 men had arrived to cast early ballots at the center visited by AFP.
Article continues after this advertisementAfter checking their names on sheets of paper hanging on the wall and verifying their eligibility with elections staff, each voter made his choice on a ballet paper which they dropped into a transparent box.
Polls close at 5:00 p.m.