The Minister, who was joined Magistrate Khalid Hassan Ajajji member of the Elections’ Safety Supervisory Supreme Commission and Abdulla bin Hassan Al-Bu-Aynayn head of Legislation and Fatwa (Legal Opinion) Authority, told a Press conference that to participate in the bye-elections would remain a prerogative of individuals.
Touching upon the elections preparations scheduled for 24th September 2011, he said that the matter of boycotting is something up to the individuals. But such elements, he warned, should not indulge in the campaigns of tort and libel or intimidation otherwise they will be answerable to the rule of the law.
Regarding boycotting the bye-elections, the Minister said that history does repeat itself because certain societies who boycotted the elections in 2002 had to correct their mistake in 2006. However, this should not exceed to become an infringement on the electorates’ freedom of choice. The electorate should know that their votes are their personal prerogative and they can use their votes in whatsoever manner they deem appropriate nevertheless we ultimately rely on citizens’ awareness.
“We are not concerned with percentages nor do we tamper with figures. Nonetheless, some people allege that their backers represent 65% of the electorates. But if we take into consideration the resignations that occurred we find out that they represent only 26% of the electorates mass,” he said.
“There will be bye-elections on 18 seats for an electorate mass comprising 187080 votes with an increase of 5842 votes and that in the event of lack of any candidates at all in any constituency, then the elections will be repeated once more,” he said.
“The provision to hold bye-elections in the country should be within 69 days, however, the situation faced by the country and the state of national safety at that time prevented that,” he explained.
He said that the national consensus dialogue which had been invited upon decree from His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa took place after security had been restored.
“We do not spare any effort in order for Bahraini citizens to co-exist in peace, fraternity and amity and if anyone wants to drag us backwards, he/she will never be able do so,” the Minister said.
The Head of Legislation and Fatwa Authority and Elections Executive Manager Abdulla bin Hassan Al-Bu-Aynayn emphasized that the executive commission would not spare any effort in passing information to the electorates utilizing more than one means of communications as a hotline would be established so as to operate 16 hours per day in order to answer any enquiries from citizens.
Member of the Elections’ Safety Supervisory Supreme Commission Khalid Hassan Ajaji said that after finishing the electorates listing stage, 38 people’s submitted applications in order to modify their personal data. The magistrates then finalized dealing with the impugning stage without any delay. One obstruction was submitted against a resolution of the Supervisory Commission. The next phase begins for nominations from 22 until 24 August 2011.
He said that private censorship is nothing new as it began back in 2002 elections. It will be there in the bye elections. “Only one society so far has applied with respect to nine members. In the meantime and until 25 August 2011 more than one organization may apply.”
He reiterated that the government was committed to the role of private censorship by the civil society’s organizations in order to help the magistrates and the executive commission and to ensure transparency and honesty in elections.
Magistrate Khalid Ajaji explained that the commission has three tasks restricted to logistic preparations, ensuring access from each and every voter to the ballot-box in freedom and security and ensuring that all votes cast by the electorates are expressive of their willpower and reach the candidate of their own free choice.