New Parline: the IPU’s Open Data Platform (beta)
Your one-stop-shop for information about national parliaments

Saudi Arabia

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Shura Council

Political system Political systems: Presidential, Parliamentary, Presidential-Parliamentary, Monarchy, Communist, Transitional.
Monarchy
Structure of parliament Structure of parliament: Unicameral, bicameral
Unicameral
IPU membership Current membership status
Yes

Historical data on women

Data on women’s right to vote and to stand for election, the date at which the first woman entered parliament, and female Heads of State or Government

Women's suffrage

Women’s right to vote
Restricted or unrestricted suffrage Suffrage: Restricted or Universal
Universal
Notes Suffrage: Additional Notes on right of suffrage
The law of 1977 granted universal suffrage to all citizens, without any specific restrictions on women. The Electoral law of August 2004 granted universal unconditional suffrage. However, only men had the right to vote in the 2005 partial municipal elections. Technical reasons, such as the difficulty of organizing a voting office for women, were quoted as the explanation for why women did not take part.
Women’s right to stand for election
First woman in parliament