Social Media Networks to Guide Voters in Electing Females in the Saudi Municipal Elections

Dr. Hassan Abdallah Al-Dajah  Dr. Mustafa Juwafil

Abstract

The study aimed to explore which social networks are most influential in guiding the voters to elect female candidates in the Saudi municipal elections. The study used the descriptive analytical approach, and the male and female voters' attitudes about the election of Saudi women were explored through a questionnaire. The study sample consisted of 421 voters across The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in the city of Riyadh. The results showed that: Tweeter is the most SNS used among the study sample and social media has an impact in directing voters to elect Saudi women in municipal elections and this can be attributed to the importance of these sites in spreading access to small groups. At the same time, by creating groups to communicate among individuals of a certain relationship regardless of the difference in the educational qualification or the work sector, the main reason may not necessarily be the type of social networking site chosen, but using it as a major means to spread ideas and share them on the site and the groups. The study indicates that social media has a great impact on societies’ decisions, ideas and beliefs; therefore it can be used in disseminating an idea or influencing their decisions; as a medium through which one can publish what stimulates or clarifies the benefits of making a specific decision, and in the case of this election study.