Saudis Say Not Yet Ready For Women Voting

Not quite ready, say Saudi authorities.

Authorities in Saudi Arabia say they are not yet ready for women citizens voting in elections in the Gulf Arab kingdom.

Electoral committee chief Abdulrahman al-Dahmash on March 28 pledged that women will be able to vote in a future election -- but he said preparations have not been completed for their participation in the upcoming municipal polls. No further details were given.

Reuters reports that voter registration for the municipal elections is due to open in April, with voting in September.

Saudi Arabia held its first municipal polls in 2005, with only men voting.

Another vote was due to be held in 2009, but the government announced a delay of two years.

compiled from agency reports