Saudi Arabia: Twenty women have scripted history by winning seats in Saudi Arabia’s historic Municipal polls. What makes the polls significant is the fact that this was the country’s first ever-elections that opened doors for female voters as well as candidates.

The official results were anounced on Monday.

The female candidates were elected to three councils – two in Ihsaa governorate and one each in Tobouk and Mecca.

A woman won in a village called Madrakah, about 150 kilometres north of the city which houses the cube-shaped Kaaba to which Muslims around the world pray.

Another woman won in Medina, where the Prophet Muhammad’s first mosque was built.

Other women hailing from the kingdom’s northernmost areas won, with two elected in Tabuk, one in al-Jawf and another in Hail. Additionally, a woman won in Saudi Arabia’s southern border area of Jizan, another in Asir and two won in al-Ahsa.

Many women candidates ran on platforms that promised more nurseries to offer longer daycare hours for working mothers, the creation of youth community centers with sports and cultural activities, improved roads, better garbage collection and overall greener cities.

It is said that more than 900 women ran for seats against nearly 6,000 men competing for places on 284 councils whose powers are restricted to local affairs including responsibility for streets, public gardens and rubbish collection.

Many women voters have expressed that they are optimistic about a brighter future.