Woman wins Makkah municipal council seat in Saudi polls

A Saudi woman won a seat on Makkah's municipal council in Saudi Arabia's first-ever elections open to female voters and candidates, the country's election commission announced on Sunday.
Salma bint Hizab Al Oteibi was elected to the council of Madrakah, a region in the Holy City of Makkah, the official SPA news agency reported, citing election commission president Osama Al Bar.
She was running against seven men and two women, he added.
Among the 6,440 candidates were more than 900 women.
Female voters said registration was hindered by factors including bureaucratic obstacles and a lack of transport.
As a result, women accounted for less than 10 percent of registered voters and few female candidates were expected to be elected.

• MENA