Sun Jan 16, 2011

 
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia – A group of Saudi activists have launched a campaign to push the oil-rich kingdom to allow women to run in upcoming municipal election, scheduled this spring.

Organizers say the campaign, named My Country, started Sunday with letters sent to local governments and then posted on social networking websites.

Women were not allowed to vote in the kingdom's first ever municipal elections in 2005.

Saudi newspapers have reported that the government plans to allow women to vote but not to run in the second election in April.

Saudi government has postponed the elections for two years in a bid to halt possible Islamists' gains and deal with sensitive issue of women's participation.