RIYADH, Aug 9: Saudi Arabia announced on Monday regulations for its first municipal elections later this year, but did not make clear whether women would be allowed to vote.

Regulations issued by the ministry of municipal affairs stated that all citizens under the age of 21 and military personnel will be barred from voting in the landmark polls scheduled for November onwards.

"Every citizen has the right to vote if (they are) ... over 21 years old, not a military man and have been residing in the constituency for a year before the day of the ballot," said the regulations.

A constitutional law expert said the wording of the regulations effectively leaves open the possibility that women could vote. "The basic law in Saudi Arabia uses the masculine form when referring to citizens in general," Abdul Aziz al Owaisheq said.

The SPA said on Wednesday the country's first nation wide polls to elect half the members of 178 municipal councils would be held in three stages from November into early next year.

The other members of the new municipal councils will be named by the government. The anticipated ballot is part of a drive to introduce limited reforms in the country, which Riyadh insists must be tailored to Saudi specifications and not necessarily follow a Western pattern. -AFP