Saeed Al-Suraihi

Okaz

 

SOME women intent on running or voting in the municipal elections in December have said the condition of presenting the new national identity card for candidacy or polling is an impediment for them.



We will be entirely excused when we whisper in their ears: "Sorry ladies, you are not yet ready or qualified for these elections."



A woman who has not so far obtained a new national ID does not deserve to take part in the elections either as a voter or a candidate.



Women who have succumbed to the circumstances that may prevent them from having the new IDs are not adequately prepared to handle large, national issues such as participating in the municipal elections as candidates or voters.



A woman who could not obtain the ID by herself, or convince her male guardian to help her get one, will struggle to convince relevant authorities to approve her viewpoints or proposals that she may develop on a municipal council.



The women who, till now, do not have a new national ID are suggesting other alternatives such as the old ID card, the family card, or a university ID card.



The old ID is no longer acceptable because it has been declared void long ago and there is no use making any reference to it.



The demands of these women show that they are very much confused. They have confused the symbolic significance of the national ID with various other methods of identification, including the family card.



The family card may be acceptable for a housewife, but not for a woman preparing to run for the elections. The new version of the national ID is an official testimony that a woman has the same citizenship rights, similar to a man.



It gives her independence from the control of men, whether her father or husband. The national ID will enable women to obtain rights and privileges that were once enjoyed exclusively by men.



Men have had the right to contest and vote in municipal elections, to choose members of the municipal councils that have a say in the Kingdom’s public affairs.



Women have never before had this right. Now that the women have been given the right to participate as candidates or voters, they are coming up with excuses like not having a new national ID card.



When a woman is not keen on obtaining the new ID card, postponing its issuance or yielding to the circumstances that are impeding her from doing this, she does not deserve the rights and privileges the new card will give her.



Among other various rights, these include the right to participate in the upcoming municipal elections as a candidate or voter.