| Submit your comments on this article |
| Arabia |
| Bahrain by-poll to go ahead despite opposition boycott |
| 2011-08-14 |
| MANAMA - Bahrain has confirmed that the planned by-election will take place on time next month despite the decision of some political groups to boycott it. Al Wefaq National Islamic Society, the largest political group, announced on Friday to boycott the election. The group had won 18 out of 40 seats in 2010 election. Al Wefaq bloc resigned during unrest in protest over the deaths of protesters. Another opposition group, National Action Democratic Society (Waad) also announced that it will not participate in the election. Minister of Justice, Islamic Affairs and Endowments Shaikh Khalid bin Ali Al Khalifa told the Press on Friday that political groups that decided to boycott election have to deal with the results of such a decision. Participating in the election provides progress to political societies and promotes development, while those who decided to boycott previous elections have been sidelined in terms of the power of decision-making, he said. The minister revealed that certain procedures would be adopted to prevent misuse of places of worship during the election, warning that the violators would face action. He said this election held would be as usual under judicial supervision to ensure its transparency. |
| Posted by:Steve White |