Women candidates and voters are set to cast their ballots for the first time ever in Saudi Arabia's local municipal elections on December 12. 

The ballot will be the first in Saudi history where women are allowed to participate and to vote.  

Many young male voters say they agree with the late King Abdullah, who announced in 2011 that women should be able to vote and take part in elections.

But as polling stations prepare for this historic day, democracy and gender equality are still mostly foreign ideas in Saudi Arabia.

Women are still banned from driving, and must get approval from a male "guardian" to work, travel abroad and open a bank account.