Islamic groups bank on voters to take control of parliament
by mahmood on 25/11/06 at 4:40 am · email · print
Bahrainis will go to the polls today to elect their parliamentary and municipal representatives in a tensely-fought process between Islamic groups.
In the Council of Representatives elections, analysts estimate the opposition parties could win as much as half the number of the 40 seats. Others say the opposition, led by Al Wefaq Islamic Society, might find it hard to secure more than 15 seats.
The opposition is keen on wining more than half the seats to be able to decide the speaker’s post and initiate constitutional changes.
The outgoing house was controlled by a large pro-government block, led by two Islamist groups, the Salafi Al Assala and the Islamic Menbar, the political offshoot of the Muslim Brotherhood.
The government has urged voters to turn up at the 50 polling stations across the country.
“Vote for the future of your children,” say posters put up by the election committee.
The elections are being held against the backdrop of tense regional developments, mainly the sectarian strife in Iraq, and local dirty tactics that cast a heavy shadow on the campaigns. The leak of a report claiming the existence of a secret plot run by a senior official to rig the elections and ensure a pro-government win exacerbated a tense situation.
However, King Hamad Bin Eisa Al Khalifa moved in quickly to defuse the tension. The elections will be monitored by nine local societies after the authorities refused to allow foreign organisations to be involved.
The opposition, led by the Shiite Al Wefaq, may win between 15 and 18 seats, said Abdul Nabi Al Ekri, from the Bahrain Centre for Studies and Research.
Initial results could be announced as early as one hour after the closure of polls at 8pm tonight. The official results will be out on Sunday, according to Ahdeya Ahmad, elections committee spokeswoman.
Who is running and who is boycotting
RUNNING
Opposition:
Islamic National Accord Society (Al Wefaq): Bahrain’s largest political society; represents the principal movement within the Shiites; historically it is the continuation of the movement that led the social unrest (1994-1999); boycotted the parliamentary elections in 2002; is participating this year with a list of 17 all-male candidates.
National Democratic Action Society (Waad): an alliance between leftists, pan-Arabism and independent; was the first society to be officially allowed in September 2001, but boycotted the 2002 elections; has a list of six candidates, including one woman; has adopted the orange colour as a sign for change.
Progressive Democratic Menbar: represents the left in Bahrain and is an extension of the first Communist party to be formed in the Gulf (1955); took part in the 2002 elections and had three deputies; is taking part this year with a list of ten candidates.
Democratic National Rally Society: represents the Baathists; boycotted the 2002 elections, but is this year fielding and supporting three candidates.
Islamic Arab Wasat: groups Nasserites (Pan-Arabism) and Islamists; took part in the 2002 elections, but did not win any seat.
National Action Charter Society (Al Mithaq): liberal and socially progressive society that opposes religious extremists and their effect on the development of Arab societies; won no seat in 2002; fielding two women among its candidates this year.
Islamic Action Society (Amal): Also known as the Shirazis, in reference to the Shiite leader Ayatollah Mohammad Al Shirazi; is an extension of the Islamic Front for the Liberation of Bahrain; boycotted the 2002 elections, but is taking part this year; has no list and three of its members are running as independents.
Islamic Sunni societies
Islamic National Menbar Society: the political branch of Al Eslah Society, the Muslim Brotherhood offshoot in Bahrain; won eight seats in the 2002 elections and is fielding eight candidates this year; has a deal with the Salafi society Al Asala.
Al Asala Society: represents the Islamic Education Society, an offshoot of the Salafi movement in Bahrain; was well represented in the Council of Representatives after it won six seats in the 2002 elections; is fielding six candidates this year.
National Justice Movement (Adala): was established this year following divisions within the Democratic National Rally Society; groups leftists and independents and is active mainly in the Sunni areas of Muharraq, Bahrain’s second largest city; is fielding several candidates, but as independents.
Boycotting:
Haq Movement: Splintered from Al Wefaq last year over the society’s decision to register under the Law of Political Societies; refuses to participate in the elections because it rejects 2002 constitutional amendments.
By Mohammed Almezel, Assistant Editor, and Habib Toumi, Bureau Chief :: Gulf News :: 25 Nov, ’06
