MANAMA — About 317,900 Bahraini citizens are expected to exercise their franchise in the third parliamentary and municipal elections today.
The voting will start at 8am and last till 8pm. A total of 139 candidates, including eight women, are in the race for parliamentary seats whereas 177 candidates including three women are testing their fortunes in the municipal elections. The elections are being held for 35 parliament seats in the 40-member chamber with five members getting elected unopposed.
In the municipal elections, a total of 38 candidates will be elected in today’s elections with two members already elected unopposed. The government is fully geared up for the elections with all the staff properly trained to ensure smooth polling. An election official, Mohammed Al Rumaihi, asked voters to exercise their franchise in the early hours to avoid the possible mid-day rush.
President of Information Affairs Authority Shaikh Fawaz Al Khalifa said more than 100 Arab and foreign media personalities and journalists as well as 14 TV channels will cover this important event, adding to the credibility and fairness of the election process.
He also indicated that the authority has set up the well-equipped Media Centre in order to facilitate Arab and foreign media’s coverage of the elections.
The centre has recently been equipped with the latest high-tech gadgets, including a high-quality interactive screen, deemed to be the first of its kind in Bahrain. The 82-inch LCD touch screen will help monitor data through a three-dimensional programme and is connected with a graphic system.
However, the election process was marred by some minor events. Two tents being used as election centres by candidates were set on fire by miscreants. The first incident happened in the middle of the last week when the tent of an independent former MP was torched by some unknown persons.
Another tent belonging Al Wefaq Political Society former MP Dr Jassim Hussain was burnt by a person who was later arrested. Security forces also arrested three Asians after they were caught distributing derogatory leaflets against a candidate. The Asians were allegedly given BD20 to distribute the pamphlets by an opponent of the candidate.
Meanwhile, Interpol has issued Red Corner Notices for two Bahraini men suspected to be leading members of a terror network which was busted in August, head of CID revealed on Thursday. Both Saeed Al Shahabi and Hussain Mushama are living in exile in the United Kingdom and have British passports.
They are accused of being members of a group involved in inciting disturbances and fomenting violence in Bahrain. Al Shahabi is accused of organising illegal acts from the UK, while Mushama stood accused of offering assistance within the country as the head of unofficial Haq Movement.