Incidents like this will only add to a public mood that is increasingly impatient with what many Saudis see as the religious police's arbitrary interference in their lives.

BBC: Saudi religious police accused over fatal accident

Democracy is the best (if an often imperfect) guarantor against arbitrary behavior by those in authority. n Nonbureaucratic interference in the setting up and running of businesses.

FORBES: Fact and Comment

The OSCE said there had been some improvements before election day, but shortcomings included "interference of local authorities, disproportionate use of force to thwart rallies, arbitrary detentions, restrictive interpretations of campaign provisions".

BBC: NEWS | Europe | Observers condemn Azeri election