For the first time ever in the nation's history, citizens of Saudi Arabia got to take part in a nationwide election today. The election is extremely limited: half of the country's municipal councils will be decided in the election and only adult males can vote. Today's election still represents the first steps towards any form of democracy in a nation still run by kings.

'Despite its drawbacks,' Abdel Aziz al-Qasim, a political activist and former judge told the New York Times, 'this is the first time that people can really participate in public life outside the mosques.'

592 seats in 178 municipal councils nationwide are up for grabs in today's election. Some of the elections will be conducted in stages. The remaining half of the municipal councils will be appointed by the monarchy.

The exclusion of women from the vote upset a number of people. 'It bothers me personally that since it is the first time for both men and women, then why not start together?' said Hend al-Kuthaila, a professor at King Saud University. She then added, 'I think women will be keen to participate.'

That will have to wait for a future time. But for now, some infant form of democracy is being experimented with in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.