Saudi Arabia: SMS campaign forces woman out of YCCI race

YANBU: A chain SMS message has led the only woman candidate contesting elections to the Yanbu Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s (YCCI) board of directors to pull out of the race. The SMS, which was widely circulated a few hours before balloting began yesterday, asked voters to elect certain candidates, creating havoc and causing the election to be fought on tribal grounds.

The source of the message, which has had an immense impact, was unknown.

The SMS campaign led to candidates splitting into two groups. Candidates who were not listed in the SMS formed their own panel, including such members as Ibrahim Al-Johani, Ahmed Al-Johani, and Saleh Al-Johani.

The other panel included Faisal Hajji, Ahmed Al-Shaghdali, Ali Al-Masaad and Ali Abu-Mualla.

Candidates whose names appeared in the message denied any previous knowledge of it. The name of the only woman candidate, Alawiyah Abdul Fattah Munqal, was also listed in the SMS.

Munqal said she withdrew her name from the panel when she learned that the Yanbu business community was against women candidates and that the presence of her name would result in other members on her panel losing votes.

She said her panel included people who value the role of businesswomen and are ready to provide them with necessary assistance.

Munqal said the candidates in her panel explained to her that the business community was not in favor of her candidacy, adding that she withdrew her candidature without any grudge. “My name was taken out of the list so that the other candidates would not lose votes. I have willingly accepted their decision and fully support them,” she said.

Nabeel Nighaimish, a candidate whose name appeared in the SMS, denied any hand in the message or any knowledge of its sender. “I explained this to members,” he said.

Meanwhile, a number of voters were prevented from casting their votes because they had not renewed their YCCI membership.

Muhammad Al-Sheikh | Arab News