Twenty-one candidates contesting the April 21 elections to the Municipal Council in Jeddah have complained to authorities against seven candidates for allegedly being promoted by popular Islamic scholars in the country. Dr. Muhammad Badaiwi, one of the 21 candidates, told Arab News that the scholars' recommendations to vote for the seven violated election regulations. They are worried as the scholars could influence voters like they did in Riyadh.The seven candidates who drew complaints from their rivals are: Bassam Akhdar, Basim Al-Sharief, Hassan Al-Zahrani, Dr. Rabah Al-Dhahiry, Hussein Baaqeel, Dr. Hussein Al-Bar and Dr. Abdul Rahman Yamani. "There are 530 candidates, among them the scholars have recommended only seven saying they are the best. By doing so, the scholars are indirectly undermining the reputation of other candidates," Musaed Al-Khamis, one of the candidates lodging the complaint, said. He was referring to an Internet newsletter report in which 10 prominent religious scholars including Dr. Safar Al-Hawali, Muhammad Al-Sharief and Dr. Saeed Al-Ghamdi recommended the seven candidates.