Without adequate preparation, says Abdel-Mohsin al-Akkas, a member of the majlis al-shura, the country's embryonic parliament, elections would be a leap in the dark.

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While women have served in the Majlis al Shura in 2002 and 2005, there are no women presently represented.

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The elections had been billed as the start of a process leading eventually to the partial election of the majlis al-shura, the advisory council whose 150 members are currently appointed by the king.

ECONOMIST: Saudi Arabia