Rumors About Recent Arrests Of Vote Buyers Are Denied By The Ministry Of Interior

A total of eight candidates withdrew from the electoral race, while the total number of candidates decreased from 376 to 374, as two candidates for the Second Constituency – Amal Hatem Al-Harbi and Hamad Eidan Al-Rasheed – canceled their candidacy on Sunday. The Election Law stipulates that candidates are allowed to withdraw until Sept 22 (seven days before Election Day).

However, LafiAl-Subaie, Assistant Undersecretary for Publishing and Printing at the Ministry of Information, emphasized that media outlets must strictly adhere to laws, regulations, and Ministerial Resolution 143/2016 regarding the coverage of parliamentary elections. In a press statement, Al-Subaie disclosed that many media outlets are conducting surveys regarding the election and publishing election analyses without scientific or academic bases. He pointed out that surveys conducted by unauthorized entities could affect the election results and misinform the public. He warned the ministry will take legal action against erring media outlets in order to ensure fair elections.

During this time, many political activists drafted the 'Document of Values,' which contains 12 promises that parliamentary candidates can sign if they wish. These promises include supporting bills on the Islamic Sharia; ensuring gender segregation in swimming pools, sports clubs and hotels; criminalizing the act of offending the Companions of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH); and imposing a proper dress code in universities. There will be a hotline for reporting violations, according to Abdulrahman Al-Nassar, a representative for those who drafted the document.

A number of candidates have already signed the document, and all signatories will be announced two days before the election. He added the candidates who signed the document include Muhammad Saad Al-Harbi, Mubarak Homoud Al-Tasha, Muhammad Barrak Al-Mutair, Muhammad Hayef and Adel Al-Damkhi. However, some public figures and bloggers consider the document unconstitutional and a way of using religion for political manipulation. Moreover, former MP Adel Al- Damkhi is one of the strong candidates in the First Constituency. He was born in 1965 and holds a Doctorate Degree in Islamic Law (Sharia). Al-Damkhi won the elections in 2012, ranking eighth in his constituency with 8,090 votes. He also won in 2016 when he ranked fourth in the constituency

In January 2018, he supported the grilling motion against Hind Al-Sabeeh, but abstained from voting on the same motion in May 2018. He also supported the grilling motions against former minister of Finance Bekheit Al-Rashedi, former minister of Commerce and Industry Khalid Al-Rawdan, former minister of Finance Barrak Al-Shaitan, former minister of Interior Anas Al-Saleh and former minister of Education Soud Al-Harbi.

According to him, demographic imbalance causes economic damage and security infiltration. He called for cancelling the sponsorship system, preventing expatriates hired by contracting companies to implement development projects from transferring to another employer, and imposing harsher penalties on those proven to have committed violations. Lastly, the Public Relations and Security Media General Department at the Ministry of Interior issued a statement denying rumors about the recent arrest of vote buyers. After confirming that the concerned departments in the ministry are closely monitoring election-related activities, legal action will be taken against those who are proven to have committed violations.

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