The Government of Bahrain regretted the decision of Al-Wefaq National Islamic Society not to take part in the upcoming bye-elections, due on 24th September, according to a statement issued by the Information Affairs Authority, Bahrain.
“It is too early to report all those who will be standing in the elections, but indications so far suggest there will be at least five women candidates,” the IAA statement added.
Potential candidates for the bye-elections have until midnight this Wednesday to announce their candidacy. Eighteen of the 40 seats of Bahrain’s Lower House of Parliament are to be filled following the resignation from these seats by all the Al-Wefaq former members of parliament on 27th February.
All 40 members of the Lower House of Parliament are voted by the people, whereas the 40 members of Bahrain’s upper house of parliament, the Shura Council, are nominated by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa. The Shura Council members represent diverse sections of the population, including Christians, Jews and other ethnic minorities.
“Taking part in these elections gives a chance to fulfill people’s demands that were reached by consensus in the recent National Dialogue,” the Speaker of Parliament, Khalifa al-Dhahrani, said. The elections come at an important time, following Bahrain’s National Dialogue, the forum of 300 Bahraini delegates called by His Majesty to recommend reforms for the country.
A key recommendation of these delegates is that the powers of the elected Lower House of Parliament should be increased. The delegates recommended in particular that the elected Parliament should be granted enhanced scrutiny over the executive branch of government.
The Government of Bahrain is expecting a big turnout in the elections. “These forthcoming bye-elections are so important for the people of Bahrain,” said Abdulla Al Buainain, Elections Chief Executive. “This is the opportunity for the people of Bahrain to vote in large numbers, thereby significantly boosting the reform process,” he said.
After the bye-elections, it will be the task of Parliament to draft the legislation for the reforms agreed by the National Dialogue and submitted to His Majesty the King at the end of July.
“The Government of Bahrain especially welcomes more female engagement in Parliament,” according to Elections Commission member, Judge Khalid Ajaji. Bahrain already has twelve women Members of Parliament, eleven in the upper house and one in the elected Lower House of Parliament, Latifa Algaoud.