Manama: Interior Minister Lieutenant-General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa said that violators of the law who intimidate or threaten the candidates would face the harshest penalties that the law allows.
The Minister said that the upcoming parliamentary and municipal elections represent a milestone in the democratic transition initiated by the reforms project of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa.
The Minister condemned the violent, criminal attacks against several candidates that endangered their safety and infringed upon their constitutional rights. He stressed that all security directorates have been instructed to coordinate with candidates to assist and protect them and their families.
He said that threats and violent acts of intimidation are not part of freedom and democracy, but are instead acts of terrorism that should be condemned by all segments in society, including religious figures, political societies, NGOs and all individuals.
He added that the Interior Ministry has taken precautions in various areas to maintain general order.
The Interior Minister added that the election process would continue and that all candidates who participate will emerge as winners while criminals who engage in illegal behaviour will be arrested and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.