Saudi Arabia held the first open elections to women

Una mujer abandona el colegio electoral tras votar en Riad. / Reuters

• elections represent a timid step towards gender equality in a country where women can lead jo and need the approval of man to work

  For the first time in its history, Saudi Arabia held this Saturday open elections to women as candidates and voters, a shy towards gender equality in this ultraconservative kingdom ruled by a stickler step version of Islam.

  Polling stations opened at 8:00 am local time in the country, the last in the world to deny voting rights to its citizens. Nor they can drive and need the approval of a man to work or travel.

  On Saturday, voters can choose from 6,000 men and 900 women allowed to appear for the first time. All of them aspire to a seat in the 284 municipal assemblies, the only composed of elected representatives but with limited power.

  Saudi Arabia prohibits women from being in places with the opposite sex so that the candidates could not provide rallies against men. They were only allowed to talk to women.

  Some 119,000 women were enrolled for the first time on an electoral list, a total of almost 1.5 million voters according to official figures. Women ensure that the registration of voters has been complicated by bureaucratic obstacles, lack of information and because they can not drive.

  As less than one voter in ten is a woman, few Saudis have to be elected. Some could enter the municipal assemblies by decision of the authorities empowered to designate a third of the seats. For some, the simple fact of having campaigned is a triumph. "To tell the truth, do not show up to win," said Badreldin to Sawari a pediatrician at the center of Riyadh.

  "We won already presenting" added this sexagenarian who entered patriotism campaign but also to demonstrate that Islam gives women rights. "Men and women have equal rights in many areas," he says, based on a verse from the Koran.

  Aljazi to Hosaini, a consultancy 57, campaigned mainly on the Internet, so voters of both sexes could see the program posted on its website. "I did the best I could, all by myself. (...) I am proud to have done," said the candidate for a seat by Riyadh.

  Others did not have such a positive experience. Lujain Hathlul, an imprisoned activist two months after having tried in 2014 to enter the kingdom at the wheel of a car from the UAE, was unable to attend. A committee disqualified her only two days before the end of the campaign, she announced on Twitter. "It's not fair," he protested.

  Nasima to Sadah, human rights activist in the city of Qatif (east), said he has taken to court the rejection of his candidacy. A voter from the Northeast, who wants to remain anonymous, said that the candidate why she wanted to vote had to retire due to opposition from local religious dignitaries.

  According to many voters, tribal ties that govern the Saudi patriarchal society are a decisive factor in this election.

  The advocacy organization based Human Rights Watch called these elections step forward towards greater participation of women in political life, but stressed that "Saudi Arabia continues to discriminate against women with a myriad of laws, policies and practices."

  Wests oenegés several countries and are pending on the situation of human rights in the kingdom, led by the Sunni royal family of Al Saud. A timid opening process started under the reign of King Abdullah (2005-2015), predecessor Salman, who in 2011 gave the Saudis the right to vote and be elected. Hosaini is optimistic and expects at least 10% of candidates achieved a position. "One would be a victory and progress.