Historic: For the first time in history a woman wins seat in Saudi polls

Saudi women vote at a polling center during the country's municipal elections in Riyadh. Photo: AP

Riyadh: A Saudi woman won a seat on Mecca`s municipal council in ultra-conservative Saudi Arabia's first-ever elections open to female voters and candidates, the country's election commission announced on Sunday.

Salma bint Hizab al-Oteibi was elected to the council of Madrakah, a region in the holy city of Mecca, the official SPA news agency reported, citing election commission president Osama al-Bar.

Saudi Arabia is an absolute monarchy with some of the world`s tightest restrictions on women, including a ban on driving.