Saudi women vote for the first time in landmark election

Saudi women are heading to polling stations across the kingdom on Saturday, both as voters and candidates for the first time in this landmark election.

More than 5,000 men and around 980 women are running as candidates for local municipal council seats. More than 130,000 women have registered to vote compared to 1.35 million men.

The election, which does not have quotas for females, is widely seen as a small but significant opening for women to play a more equal role in Saudi society.

qatar airways